Mr. President, I wish to thank you very much for scheduling this plenary debate, and I am glad you have been able to rejoin us this afternoon. It seems to me that not only have they displaced you from your office, Sir, while they are renovating, but they have also displaced you from your customary p…
In the light of the results just announced for the last ballot, and in the interests of having a conclusion to this balloting today, I should like to announce the withdrawal of the Australian candidate, Ms. Jane Mathews. I would like to thank colleagues who have given us their support, and I hope th…
Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open meeting and giving us the opportunity to participate in the Council’s latest consideration of East Timor.
Frankly, the level of interest in today’s open meeting, both among Council members and non- members, is welcome and reassuring. It is very natu…
Thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate, as well as for the gesture of having non-Council members speak before members. As the saying goes, one swallow does not a summer make. But, as we have now had at least two swallows, perhaps, if summer is not with us, then spring in the form …
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the delegations of New Zealand and of my own country in explanation of position following the adoption of resolution 55/5 B, on the scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations.
Our delegations welcome the adoption of this …
In response to growing international concerns about the illicit trade in rough diamonds, the Australian Government is pleased to join in sponsoring the draft resolution introduced by my colleague the Ambassador of South Africa under item 175. We strongly support industry and intergovernmental effort…
It is sometimes easy over the course of long and sensitive negotiations to lose sight of the fundamental objectives and the common interests that we are striving to achieve. Parochial interests can become entrenched and negotiating dynamics can assume a life and a rationale of their own, to the detr…
Thank you, Mr. President, for arranging this open meeting of the Council, which has given non-Council members and others whose interests are vitally and directly engaged in these matters, such as the very welcome José Ramos-Horta, the opportunity not only to hear directly from the Secretary-General’…
With more than 34 million people worldwide infected with HIV, 95 per cent of whom live in developing countries, Australia certainly agrees that the pandemic is a development crisis with devastating consequences for human, social and economic progress. In many areas, the United Nations has been focus…
Thank you, Mr. President, for arranging this open meeting of the Council. Non-members of the Council are always appreciative of such opportunities, but particularly when they enable countries with direct interests in and close knowledge of a particular issue or situation to participate in a purposef…
This debate on the question of sanctions is very timely, coming during a period of renewed attention both to the humanitarian impact of sanctions and their effectiveness as an instrument for dealing with threats to international peace and security. I would emphasize that these are matters of immedia…
The year 1999 did not start off as a particularly auspicious one for the Middle East peace process. It seemed that both sides in the peace negotiations were experiencing difficulty in rebuilding much of that sense of common purpose which had developed over the preceding five years since the original…
A political cartoon in a major United States daily newspaper some months ago depicted the Security Council deep in debate over its response to a dispute that had already broken into violent conflict. One delegate is pictured saying to his anguished Council colleagues, “No, no, no. First comes earnes…
It is with considerable pleasure that I address the Security Council on the occasion of the adoption of the draft resolution authorizing the establishment of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). This draft resolution is a crucial and historic step towards realizing …
As all members know, Australia has a long-standing interest in this important agenda item. We believe that the Security Council, as the organ of the United Nations which has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, is in many ways the key to ensuring that the U…
I welcome the opportunity to address the Security Council.
The adoption by the Council today, in a few moments, of this draft resolution on East Timor represents a further important step in putting into effect the historic 5 May 1999 New York Agreements between the Governments of Indonesia and Port…
I feel very privileged and proud to speak for Australia at this historic commemoration, although I must say that it is our view also that it would have been more fitting to conduct this important debate in the General Assembly Hall, with the full weight, dignity and solemnity that that venue confers…
The large number of speakers in this debate is, as it was last year, testimony to the importance of the issue of Security Council reform. But because of this — by my calculations there are still 60 more speakers listed after me — I will be brief.
Australia’s position is well known. Reform of the Se…
Australia remains determined to achieve a comprehensive and lasting solution to the global landmines problem. The conclusion of the Ottawa Convention banning landmines was a major step towards the achievement of a global ban on landmines, and my Government looks forward to ratifying the Convention a…
Australia is pleased to have the opportunity to commend Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic
Australia attaches great importance to the central role played by the IAEA in enlarging the contribution of nuclear technology to peace, health and prosperity throughout the w…
