Udovenko is candidate for U.N. General Assembly president (03/09/97)

Udovenko is candidate for U.N. General Assembly president

by Roma Hadzewycz

NEW YORK - Ukraine's Foreign Minister Hennadii Udovenko is a strong candidate for president of the General Assembly, Ambassador Anatolii Zlenko announced during a February 28 briefing here at Ukraine's Mission to the United Nations.

The position was described by Ambassador Zlenko as a part-time job that requires six months on the job at the U.N. There are no plans to replace Mr. Udovenko as foreign affairs minister, he added.

The president of the U.N. General Assembly is elected annually, along with 21 vice-presidents and the chairpersons of seven main committees. The presidency rotates among five regional groups of states: African, Asian, Eastern European, Latin American and Western European. Minister Udovenko needs the endorsement of the East European regional group to be elected in March-April to the post of the No. 3 man at the United Nations.

Ambassador Zlenko made the announcement of Minister Zlenko's candidacy during a meeting with Ukrainian American community leaders and the press at which he, as Ukraine's permanent representative to the United Nations, provided a summary of developments that have taken place during the 51st session of the General Assembly.

Strengthening Ukraine's international position

Ukraine's participation in the world body is characterized first and foremost, he said, "by efforts to strengthen its position in the international arena."

"The year 1996 was marked by continued reinforcement of Ukraine's international positions, including its role in international organizations, especially the United Nations," he emphasized.

Ukraine took part in all major debates, including those touching on disarmament (both nuclear and conventional weapons), reform of the U.N., peacekeeping and security issues, international terrorism and organized crime, and social-economic development.

At the same time, "Ukraine is not a passive observer of bloody events that take place on various points of our planet," Mr. Zlenko noted, adding that in 1996 Ukraine participated in six peacekeeping operations of the U.N.: Eastern Slavonia, Angola, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina. In all, 777 persons from Ukraine took part in these operations, placing Ukraine in 15th place among the 71 participating states (according to the size of its contingent).

Another goal of Ukraine's representation at the United Nations cited by Ambassador Zlenko is integrating Ukraine into the world economy. He also reported that Ukraine proposed the creation within the U.N. system of a concrete mechanism for countering the negative effects of sanctions on third-party countries. The resolution passed by consensus during the 51st session of the General Assembly provides for aid to such countries.

Ukraine's debt to the United Nations

Of course, Ukraine continued to speak out about the lingering effects of the Chornobyl nuclear accident, Mr. Zlenko reported. As well, its delegation tried to obtain amelioration of Ukraine's debt to the U.N., which was increased to make up for the debt of the USSR. Ukraine acknowledges that it owes $185 million to the international organization; however, it does not want to pay the USSR debt of $61 million that it was assessed.

Last year Ukraine paid in $20 million to the U.N.; this year it has already paid in another $2 million. In this manner, "Ukraine underlines it respect and support for the United Nations," Ambassador Zlenko emphasized.

In conclusion, Mr. Zlenko pointed out that during the 51st session Ukraine had 52 appearances before the General Assembly - 49 of them in the English language. And, he added, the "Assembly's 52nd session promises to be even more important for Ukraine," as Minister Udovenko has an excellent chance of being elected its president.

"With each month, the authority of Ukraine as an independent state grows," he said, adding that Ukraine participates in all working groups at the General Assembly and, indeed, is welcomed there because of its delegates' competence. "Ukraine has assumed its rightful place as a great European state," he stated.

Asked for his impressions of a colleague, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Ambassador Zlenko said: "I have great respect for her, for her professionalism and capabilities, for her understanding of international affairs and her understanding of Ukraine. I am convinved she will treat us with the respect due an independent state."

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