Remarks on the new Security Council Members, Pakistan, and Kosovo

USUN PRESS RELEASE #001

Reporter: Yeah, I have a question on the Bhutto investigation with Scotland Yard being brought in to the case. The U.S. and France have pushed quite aggressively after the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri for investigation, no push here. Is there any reason why the U.S. does not think it is appropriate to push for such investigations which is being called for by some in the opposition?

Ambassador Wolcott: Well I think in the case – when the case of the Hariri assassination -- the government of Lebanon requested the UN’s investigation and in this case as far as I know that has not happened. Pakistan has requested the help of Scotland Yard and as I understand it that is going to be underway shortly so I think we need to see what they find. They are a very credible organization so I think it would be a matter of whether they end up requesting anything further from us or others. Yes?

Reporter: You mentioned new members (inaudible) Republic of Croatia (inaudible)?

Ambassador Wolcott: Thank you. Of course we are delighted to have Croatia on the Council. I think they are going to be an excellent addition. All the perm reps from the five new members were there today and it was great to have them in the Council. I think Croatia has a unique opportunity to be influential on issues like Kosovo and on many issues so we look forward to working with them as Council members, as Europeans, as allies of ours, colleagues of ours. Thank you.

Reporter: What about Libya Ambassador? Did you ever think that you would sit in the Security Council with Libya presiding over the discussions?

Ambassador Wolcott: Did I ever think that? I probably never thought it but he performed very well today. I think he’s a duly elected member by the General Assembly and we look forward to working with all the new members including the Libyans.

Reporter: What does it say in your view about the change that the country has been going through over the past few years?

Ambassador Wolcott: Well, there have been a lot of changes and of course we work with Libya on a wide range of issues, both expressing concerns where there still are those concerns, on human rights and other issues. But Libya has come a long way in renouncing WMD and in a number of ways helping with the peace process in both Chad and Sudan. So, we will deal with Libya like we do with any other country bilaterally and be very open with them and say what we think and I think in the Council we will work well with them.

Reporter: Is the U.S. concerned that the two major issues for this month -- Kosovo and Iran -- won’t really move forward at all in January? Is that kind of in a stalemate?

Ambassador Wolcott: I don’t think that’s clear yet at all. I’m not sure anybody is sure exactly when they will come up but I don’t know that that’s a concern as far as January goes.

Reporter: Is Kosovo going out of the Council then at this point since it seemed that that was the indication last month?

Ambassador Wolcott: There is an UNMIK discussion coming up, it’s scheduled for the 16th I believe and there was discussion about that today. I expect even though its UNMIK related it will probably cover a number of things and as you’ve probably heard the Serbians have already requested to speak at it so we’ll have to see how the format evolves. That was a recent development today, this morning right before the Council started so we weren’t able to actually decide what the format going to be but consultations will continue on that and probably that will be decided next week. Thank you.