Germany's U.N. Ambassador: We Are Ready for the Challenge

On Jan. 1, Germany joined the United Nations Security Council as a temporary member for two years. It is the fourth time that Germany has been invited to join, following periods in 1977-78, 1987-88 and 1995-96.

Prior to the start of the new term, German Ambassador to the U.N. Günther Pleuger sat down for talks with fellow European members and prepared intensively for the new challenges that will await him in the next two years.

"We have put together a team for the Security Council which will be led by the head of the politics department. In the politics department, various people are responsible for regional conflicts and thematic discussions which are held in the Security Council," Pleuger said.

Starting next week, the Council will meet for a daily meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York, just across the road from the German Permanent Mission to the U.N. In February, Germany will take over the Council's rotating presidency for one month, a step which Pleuger hopes will boost German influence in the council.

"We are, of course, also representing German interests in the United Nations. However, in the Council, which consists of only 15 of the 191 states in the U.N., one must bear in the mind the interests of the United Nations as a whole. The Security Council sees itself as one committee which acts in the interests of all members in the U.N.."

Iraq dominates agenda

As the question of a possible war against Iraq becomes more imminent, this issue is due to dominate the coming months both on the international agenda, but also within U.N. ranks. The most contentious question linked to Germany's Security Council membership is whether Berlin will let its ambassador decide on the issue or make him abstain from the vote. For Pleuger, however, there are more pressing questions to be answered.

"First, Germany will not hide itself and, second, it is still not clear whether the Council will get together on the basis of the Resolution 1441and ,if so, which decision will eventually be made. he most important thing at the moment is to support the weapons inspectors' mission to disarm Iraq in a peaceful way and to help it to succeed."

However, the issue is due to become more contentious for Germany, in particular due to its presidency of the Iraq Sanctions Committee, which it takes over next week. According to Pleuger, both Berlin and the German mission in New York have stepped up on communication and cooperation in preparation for this step.

"We have an excellently functioning information and coordination system with the headquarters in Berlin," he said. "And of course I can, if necessary, ring Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer for the appropriate political instructions for a vote in the Security Council or for a difficult statement."

Changing coalitions

A further stumbling block could prove to be the coalitions in the Security Council, which change regularly with the various topics and interests. Germany's ambassador will try to work closely with the other European countries including France, Great Britain and Spain, but will avoid forming a block which could offend Berlin's other allies.

"Most of the members of the U.N. are our friends," Pleuger explained. "The majority of the members, namely 182 of 191 states, voted for us to join the Security Council. That is a sign of trust in Germany's ability to take on this responsibility, which we are now doing for the fourth time."