Indonesia to Join UN Security Council
Wednesday, 18 October, 2006 | 12:51 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Republic of Indonesia will officially join a temporary member of the United Nations Security Council as of 1 January next year until 31 December 2008.

During the 61st session of the UN General Council on Monday (10/16) in New York, Indonesia was chosen as member with 82.3 percent votes—with the support of 158 countries out of 192.

During the voting, Indonesia beat the other Asian candidate, Nepal.

In addition, South Korea withdrew from the voting to concentrate on the position of the new UN Secretary General which will be held by Ban Ki-moon, now foreign affairs minister of South Korea.

“This proves that Indonesia has obtained large support as a world peace and security keeper,” said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a press conference at the Indonesian Air Force Airport of Halim Perdanakusuma Jakarta yesterday (10/17).

According to the President, in connection with this, Indonesia will prioritize a working group for handling matters on the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula.

The Security Council is a UN division that keeps peace and international security.

Based on the sixth chapter of the UN Treaty concerning Handling Conflicts Peacefully, the Security Council has the right to investigate any conflict or situation that could lead to international disintegration.

The Security Council has 15 country members of which five are permanent members having veto rights: the United States of America, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France.

Every year, five countries are chosen to be temporary members for two-year working periods.

Previously, Indonesia has been elected twice: for the 1973-1974 and 1995-1996 periods.

In addition to Indonesia, other countries chosen as members for the 2007-2008 period of include Italy, Belgium and South Africa.

One chair for the Latin American representative is still being competed for by Guatemala and Venezuela.

BADRIAH | TITIS SETIANINGTYAS | YANTO MUSTHOFA