Statement by H.E. dr. Ivo Sanader, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, on the UN Security Council High-Level Debate on Mediation and the Settlement of Disputes.
Mr. President,
I am grateful to Burkina Faso for bringing us together to address an important and integral component of our common effort in maintaining international peace and security.
The effectiveness of the United Nations and this Council in particular, is often measured against its ability to prevent and resolve conflicts. In achieving that goal, the Council has at its disposal an array of tools, including those mentioned prominently in Chapter VI of the UN Charter. As Croatia's own experience has demonstrated, mediation and the peaceful settlement of disputes is part and parcel of conflict prevention, peacemaking and post-conflict peace-building, and can be successfully integrated into the mandates of missions designed by the Council.
Since the nature of contemporary conflict has changed, increasingly shifting from the inter-state to an intra-state level, the United Nations is facing a different set of expectations. As the 2004 High-Level Panel Report noted, the demand for UN good offices and mediation had skyrocketed. In situations ranging from Iraq to Sudan, from Cyprus to Cote d'Ivoire, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Zimbabwe, to mention just a few, the UN has been required to deal not only with overcoming tensions between opponents or belligerents, but also with offering solutions for transitional justice, constitution writing or designing mechanisms for wealth-sharing or human rights protection.
This involvement may take place on any level, from the Secretary-General himself – or some esteemed colleagues seated at this table today – to the different UN departments and agencies, in particular through the mandates designed by this Council. Even in the absence of a specifically appointed individual tasked with a mediation or good-offices mandate, through its political or military presence on the ground, the UN finds itself engaged in the role of a negotiator, intermediary or advisor. Today, it is difficult to find a Council mandated mission which does not include some aspect of diplomatic, mediatory, non-coercive engagement, often through the wide-ranging executive authority of the Head of Mission.
Our own experience with the UN Transitional Authority in Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES) is a telling example of what the UN can accomplish within a well-defined and realistic, achievable mandate. The reintegration of this war-affected territory in eastern Croatia was a joint success, both for my country and the UN, and Croatia stands ready to share the expertise and know-how gained though this process.
It has been rightly recognized that, in order to live up to these expectations, Council mandated missions require not only an effective mandate, but also necessary expertise and adequate resources. The Department of Political Affairs remains the center of expertise and resource on mediation, and we welcome recent steps designed to strengthen it, including the establishment of the DPA Mediation Support Unit. The institution of special envoys and special representatives of the Secretary-General is often the primary channel for action, virtually the face of the UN in such situations. The complexity of their tasks requires excellent political, negotiation, leadership and management skills. In this regard, we would welcome the appointment of more women in these positions. No less important than skilled leadership is the development of local capacities for dispute resolution, a process in which civil society can play a crucial role.
The diplomatic and non-coercive methods of settling disputes surely go beyond the framework of the UN system and the UN can often profit from these synergies. Mediation in resolving the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire was one of those success stories and I would like to join others, Mr. President, in extending my appreciation for the personal effort you invested in facilitating the signature and implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement between the Ivorian parties.
With the increasing interaction between the Council and regional and sub-regional organizations, it is becoming evident that they offer a potential which commands the Council's attention, and needs to be further explored by the Council, not only in the field of peacekeeping, but also regarding the settlement of disputes. The joint effort of the United Nations and the African Union to bring peace to Darfur is a good example, including through the institution of the joint special envoys and the recently appointed Chief Mediator Mr. Djibril Ypene Bassolé of Burkina Faso. As was rightly pointed out on previous occasions, their geographical proximity and familiarity with the context of the conflict often makes regional and sub-regional organizations well suited to approach the parties to a conflict. We were also heartened by the success of the mediating effort led by former Secretary-General, H.E. Kofi Annan under the auspices of the African Union that helped to resolve a grave political and humanitarian crisis in Kenya this year.
Mr. President,
Recent trends give us reasons to be hopeful about the Council's ability to further expand and better integrate such efforts into its strategies and actions. Still, for every success, like Kenya, there are static situations, which can dent the credibility of the UN and can compel us to examine our strategies and commitment. We are encouraged by the positive signals coming from Cyprus and extend our full support to the good offices of the Special Representative of the Secretary General Alexander Downer. We also deeply appreciate the continuing joint effort that the UN and African Union are investing in the Darfur talks. On the other hand, it is disappointing to note that after almost a year of repeated attempts to engage with Myanmar the United Nations efforts fall short of tangible results.
A well managed effort aimed at reaching peace through establishing a viable political process should be an integral part of our peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace-building strategies. However, it should not come at the expense of other values this Organization was founded to promote and protect. Without respect for justice, the rule of law, human rights and basic socio-economic concerns the hope of lasting peace remains illusory and our action incomplete.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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