Foreign Minister Murray McCully has again criticised the United Nations Security Council for its failure to resolve conflict.
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“Mr Key acknowledged the human suffering in Syria, Yemen and South Sudan, and that an end to it is needed”.
“Sadly this is symbolic of the dysfunction and mistrust that has characterised this council’s performance on Syria and too numerous conflict that rage in the region”.
As part of New Zealand’s statement in the general debate, Mr Key told leaders the Security Council had failed to act and it was now time for it to “step up”.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, took to the podium of the General Assembly on Thursday to deplore the lack of action by the Security Council, the United Nations body with legally binding powers, over its failure to end the bloodbath in Syria, blaming in particular the paralyzing power of veto held by the body’s five permanent members.
He said that made it hard for the 10 elected members, and there were also structural problems.
That was why New Zealand supported moves to limit the use of the veto in mass atrocity situations.
Key said it was time for the council to step up.
When the council worked together as it did over Iran it showed it could still deliver on its objective, Key said. It’s time for the council to do the job for which it was created.
Its time for the Council to do its duty for those who have lost their lives and loved ones, and for the millions who have been displaced.
There must be a political solution to the conflict in Syria soon, Key said.
Following that meeting, Russia’s foreign minister and the US Secretary of State had met to discuss a “deconfliction” process after confirmation Russian Federation had begun air strikes in Syria, giving the USA only one hour’s notice to ensure they were not in the way.
New Zealand would continue to play an active role to try and address such issues for the duration of its time on the Council.
“Indeed, this is a classic case of the ideal being the enemy of the good”.
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Despite his fighting words, Mr Key was speaking to an nearly empty assembly hall because many leaders have now left New York.
