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BOLETIN INFORMATIVO 5

PRESS RELEASE

Outcome of the Russian Federation’s Presidency of the UN Security Council

In March the Russian Federation was performing the functions of President of the UN Security Council. Pursuant to our country’s position of principle, activities by the Russian delegation sought to strengthen the primary responsibility of the Council for international peace and security, to enhance further the authority of the UNSC and to establish collective elements in international relations.

The work of the Security Council under Russia’s presidency proceeded in intensive mode. The Council held 16 official meetings and 13 closed consultations on the main items of its agenda, adopted five resolutions and agreed seven Presidential Statements, including oral, to the press.

The situation in Kosovo remained under the close control of the UNSC. At its meeting convened on March 11 on Serbia’s initiative, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of that country, Vuk Jeremic, reaffirmed the invariability of the Serbian position on the illegal character of the unilateral proclamation of the province’s independence, running counter to UNSC resolution 1244, and called on the Council members to continue dialogue for the purpose of finding a just solution that would suit all. Having fully backed this position, the Russian delegation circulated among the Council members a draft Presidential Statement confirming respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries of the region, the validity of resolution 1244 and the mandates of the UN Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovo Force and containing a call on the parties to resume their dialogue on the status of Kosovo.

We believe that the legitimacy of these provisions is beyond doubt. A majority of the Council members expressed readiness to work on the basis of the Russian draft. We regret that a number of western Council members did not turn out to be ready for such work. Nevertheless, our proposal remains in effect.

The Council’s attention remained focused on Middle East problems. The importance of the Quartet’s further efforts in achieving a comprehensive regional settlement was reaffirmed and the idea of holding an international Middle East conference in Moscow was given broad support.

The Security Council adopted resolution 1803 dealing with noncompliance by Iran with the demands of its previous decisions. At the same time this resolution, coupled with the simultaneously released statement of the six Foreign Ministers, reconfirms that there is no alternative to a politico-diplomatic settlement of Iran’s nuclear problem and supports continuation of the work of the IAEA in Iran.

Following an open debate on Afghanistan the mandate of the UN mission in that country was extended in its present parameters, including the issues of the coordination of the activities of the international presences there. We presume that such authoritative regional organizations as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) can play a positive role in normalizing the situation in Afghanistan.

UN Security Council resolution 1805, agreed upon with the active cooperation of Russia, extended the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate. This decision outlines necessary adjustments in its methods of work, which correspond to the new tasks in ensuring antiterrorist security, primarily in the field of providing technical assistance to states for the purpose of strengthening their potential in the struggle against terrorism.

The UNSC carried out serious work on a number of African conflicts; in particular, the situations in Somalia, Darfur, the Great Lakes Region, and Guinea Bissau were substantively examined. The Council adopted two resolutions on the DR of Congo: extending the sanctions regime and widening the embargo against illegal armed groups in the east of the country. In connection with the refusal of the government of Eritrea to cooperate with the UN the Security Council called on the Eritrean leadership to resume full-fledged interaction with the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Russia’s UNSC Presidency ensured the smooth and effective work of this body in March 2008, and solidified a businesslike mindset for its subsequent activity on the basis of constructive interaction among all Security Council members.

April 1, 2008