INTERVIEW: Ambassador Kuchynsky on Ukraine's role at U.N. Security Council (09/03/00)

INTERVIEW: Ambassador Kuchynsky on Ukraine's role at U.N. Security Council

by Irene Jarosewich

UNITED NATIONS - In January of this year Ukraine began a two-year tenure as one of 10 non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Directing Ukraine's work at the Security Council is one of the key responsibilities of Ambassador Valeriy P. Kuchinsky, first deputy permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations.

Mr. Kuchinsky's career in the diplomatic service spans almost three decades. An expert on international security and disarmament, Ambassador Kuchinsky joined Ukraine's U.N. mission in 1999, after having served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv for two years, and as deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington in 1992-1997. Mr. Kuchinsky also served in the United Nations Secretariat in New York in 1975-1980.

On the eve of the United Nations Millennium Summit, during which 180 heads of state will come to New York City September 5-9, and a special meeting of the Security Council on September 7, Ambassador Kuchinsky gave this interview at the United Nations.

Q: The upcoming United Nations Millennium Summit has been categorized by various media as the largest gathering of heads of state in recorded history. Within the summit program, however, a so-called "mini-summit" by the heads of states of countries that are members of the Security Council will also take place. Ukraine, apparently, has had a direct role in influencing this meeting. Please explain Ukraine's initiative.

A: Indeed, this gathering the first week of September will bring together not only 180 heads of state, but entire delegations of government officials and policy experts, and will be an excellent opportunity for meeting with international counterparts. The idea for the special meeting of the heads of state of the Security Council was President Leonid Kuchma's initiative - to use the opportunity of the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York to hold a "summit within a summit" if you will.

Ukraine introduced this idea at a meeting of the Security Council - this will be only second time in U.N. history that such a meeting of the Security Council will take place - with the idea that at the beginning of the new millennium we should review the Security Council - how it operates, its effectiveness and efficiency, what is needed, what could be changed, what are the trends for the immediate future.

There was some resistance. Certain members of the United Nations expressed resentment that the "extra" summit would take away from the major summit, but the Security Council is an integral and essential organ of the United Nations - and in July Ukraine's proposal was accepted. The topic of this meeting is the role of the Security Council in maintaining peace in the 21st century and, as initiators of the idea of this summit of the Security Council, Ukraine is the major author of the draft final document that will be accepted at this meeting.

Q: According to Security Council proceedings, Ukraine has maintained an active role within this body. How is Ukraine perceived within the Security Council, and what is the nature of its relationship with other members?

A: There are 15 members of the Security Council, and one of the first questions we faced was how will we find our place among them, in particular among the five permanent members - the United States, Great Britain, Russia, France and China.

We are, for example, a strategic partner of the United States. Also, President Kuchma has announced that Ukraine's foreign policy direction is integration into Europe. In addition, Russia is also a strategic partner.

I am proud to say that in the nine months since Ukraine joined the Security Council, we have been able to find a position that above all else, commands respect from the other members, despite the fact, I hate to say, that some countries, both members and non-members of the Security Council, did not expect that this would happen. There was speculation as to "whose side" Ukraine would join.

Ukraine, however, has consistently maintained positions that, above all else, reflect our national priorities and our national interests. For example, the recent issue regarding the Serbian representative. Ukraine's position is that in such a complex issue the Serbian representative should be allowed to speak - and though we voted as Russia voted on this issue, I must tell you, we did not speak with them about this vote beforehand. The situation in the Balkans is of vital interest to us; we have our own position on it.

The United States, for example, takes positions in the Security Council that reflect only their national interest, often pressuring others to vote with them, such as Great Britain - and I say this with all respect to the United States - this is a country that can afford to do that. We may not be able to pressure other countries, but we do, above all else, maintain our national interest. It may have come as a surprise to some countries that Ukraine could not be taken for granted.

In the first half-year there were 200 meetings of the council, 100 open and 100 closed, and 25 resolutions were accepted. Ukraine has presented a position on almost every issue. Our activity has allowed us to fully participate in the Security Council process and our assertive and active position has brought respect - because let's face it - some countries simply attend these meetings.

Q: In terms of the work of the Security Council, how is Ukraine's relationship with the United States?

A: In general, I must say we have an excellent relationship with the United States, with Ambassador [Richard] Holbrooke. We also work very closely with Great Britain, and also have a fruitful relationship with the African representatives. By the way, we are a member of the non-aligned members of the Security Council and attend meetings of that caucus - so we consult both with the P-5 (five permanent members) as well as with the non-aligned countries.

Sometimes we are asked by other members from the non-aligned countries, for example Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Cyprus, to present information that can influence a Security Council decision, especially regarding the P-5. Ukraine has taken a position as a bridge-builder.

Q: Which issues currently being discussed at the Security Council most affect Ukraine?

A: Ukraine is interested in most issues of the Security Council - European, Africa, Asia, whatever - but let's focus on European issues. The Balkans, for obvious reasons, the proximity to Ukraine, affect Ukraine's national interest. As a result of the trade sanctions, Ukraine and other countries have lost enormous resources, many millions of dollars.

Even today [August 15] I spoke at the session on Bosnia-Herzegovina, I again reminded the council of the losses that Ukraine continues to suffer as a result of sanctions. I mentioned that Ukraine should be compensated in the form of being given consideration for special projects to rebuild and restore the region.

Furthermore we are actively participating in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and international peace force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ukraine sends troops to many peacekeeping operations - in Africa, the Congo, Lebanon, observers in East Timor, Ethiopia and Eritrea. In terms of peacekeeping missions, Ukraine is becoming a major force within the U.N. structure.

Q: What advantage does Ukraine have from its position in the Security Council?

A: Obviously being in the Security Council allows us to better defend our national interests. Also, when Ukraine was accepted as a member of Security Council it was an acknowledgment of Ukraine's place in the world.

We participate in decisions that affect the destiny of other countries of the world. Security Council resolutions are compulsory for all member-countries of the United Nations. Security Council resolutions override bilateral relations. For example, regardless of whatever bilateral trade agreements we may have with a country, if sanctions are imposed, we must abide by them.

An example of a decision that directly affected Ukraine was a decision made in 1994. Russia raised the issue of the status of Sevastopol, claimed it was a Russian city. Ukraine appealed to the Security Council on this issue and the council reiterated, in a statement issued by its president, that Sevastopol was an integral part of Ukraine - and this was something that Russia had to accept, because in these matters the Security Council is the highest international authority. And if the highest authority makes a judgment - it is important - and the countries have to comply, they have to live with the decision, have to respect it.

The willingness to respect the decisions of the Security Council is essential to reducing conflict worldwide. Now Ukraine can better influence this process.

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