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Summit endorses watered-down UN reform
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-09-17 11:43
World leaders have ended a three-day summit by endorsing a watered-down document on UN reform that fell short of their robust calls for increased efforts to combat terrorism and poverty.
World leaders have ended a three-day summit by endorsing a watered-down document on UN reform that fell short of their robust calls for increased efforts to combat terrorism and poverty. [AFP] |
The summit, which had brought together more than 170 leaders in New York, signed off on the 35-page document by acclamation despite stubborn objections raised to the end by Venezuela, Cuba and Belarus.
"I urge all political leaders to remain personally committed in order to ensure that the decisions we have taken tonight turn into reality," said Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson, whose country chairs the current General Assembly session.
US Ambassador John Bolton, who played a key role in the bargaining but was accused of limiting the scope of the final text, expressed satisfaction with what he said was the product of "difficult negotiations."
"The outcome document represents an important step in the long process of UN reform," Bolton said. "We cannot allow the reform effort to be derailed or run out of steam."
He said the United States would work tirelessly to implement the reforms and added, "We can assure you that the American people and all peoples of the world will be watching closely as we proceed."
The document denounced terrorism in all forms, promoted development, backed reform of UN management, called for establishment of a peace-building commission and a more effective human rights council.
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