Shalom requests Security Council spot
Foreign Minister Shalom meets with Secretary-General Annan; Shalom calls to disarm Hizbullah, halt Iran's nuclear development
"The time has come to normalize the status of Israel here in the United Nations," Shalom told reporters in New York, following talks with Annan. "I told him that one way forward to normalize our status here is by asking to be a member of the Security Council."
The prestigious 15-nation council rules on war and peace, sanctions and peacekeeping operations. Five of its members, the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France, have permanent seats, while 10 others are elected for two-year terms.
'A symbolic move'
Nominations for those seats typically are put forward by the five U.N. regional groupings.
However, Israel's status at the U.N. is unique in that opposition from Islamic nations has long prevented it from joining the Asian Group, which corresponds to its geographical region.
In 2000, Israel was invited to join the "Western European and Others Group," which includes Canada, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand in addition to the countries of Western Europe.
It was allowed to do so on condition it not immediately seek a Security Council seat, a restriction Israel cliams is no longer in force.
Ties between Israel and the U.N. have taken a sharp turn for the better recently, and for the first time, Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Gillerman is in line to be elected as one of the assembly's 21 vice presidents when the new assembly session starts in September.
"It is a symbolic move but for us it is a very important move forward," Shalom said.
'U.N. unable to disarm Hizbullah'
During the meeting, Shalom told Annan that Hizbullah continues to provoke the region, especially along Israel’s northern border.
He said Israel has made much efforts to restrain its response to recent attacks, in a bid to prevent a possible heated confrontation.
Shalom demanded the U.N. act promptly to substantiate the second clause of Security Council resolution 1559 and to disarm terror groups in Lebanon, including Hizbullah.
He said the deployment of Lebanese troops to the southern part of the country would neutralize Hizbullah’s power and influence.
However, Annan said in response that the U.N. lacks military capability to disarm Hizbullah at present.
“But the U.N. has influence,“ he said. “We must wait until after Lebanese elections and see how we can handle the issue.”
Annan also acknowledged Syria’s affluence over Lebanon and said discovering what had happened to Syria’s intelligence agents in Lebanon following Syria's withdrawal, was a difficult task.
In addition, Shalom requested the Security Council discuss Iran's advancement towards nuclear capability.
Annan pledged to renew international pressure on Iran following Iran’s elections on June 17.
