UNITED NATIONS, 30 November 2004 — When Samir Shihabi, Saudi Arabia’s then ambassador to the United Nations was elected president of the General Assembly for 1991-1992, his position represented an honor for the Arab world, and greater recognition for issues that affect Arab countries.
Shihabi was back at the United Nations in New York, this month to attend a series of meetings of the Council of Presidents of the General Assembly. His participation represented, once again, more attention to issues that affect Arab countries.
When Shihabi went to meet UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and between sessions of meetings of the Council of Presidents, persons at the United Nations were glad to greet him, and remarked that he looked essentially the same as he did during his tenure as General Assembly president in 1991-92.
“I take this as a compliment,” Shihabi said, responding to such remarks with a warm smile.
In an interview, Shihabi pointed out that the issues of Iraq and Palestine are of particular concern to the Council of Presidents of the General Assembly.
The council communicates its concerns to the United Nations system, with the objective of affecting change. It draws upon the experiences of General Assembly presidents, with the purpose of supporting the United Nations in general, and the General Assembly in particular — which presently comprises 191 member countries.
“The Council of President of the General Assembly expressed grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Iraq and the danger that this poses to international peace and security,” Shihabi explained.
“The early restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence is top priority, and the United Nations must have a central role in the peaceful resolution of the crisis.”
Shihabi also voiced concern over the deteriorating situation in Palestinian territories that, he pointed out, was highlighted at meetings of the Council of Presidents of the General Assembly.
“The basic issue is the occupation of Palestine,” he explained. Talk about “land, initiatives, designs, etceteras “ sideline this basic issue.
“The actual situation inside Palestine today — whether it is the Palestinian side or the Israeli part” is not being squarely addressed, he elaborated.
“People are being killed and destroyed everyday,” Shihabi said with anguish reflected in his voice. “And they are still resisting.”
When asked what effect the passing of Yasser Arafat would have on the cause of Palestine, Shihabi replied in a resolute manner: “There never rose a liberation movement that was defeated.”
Does the same hold true for other situations similar to Palestine, such as Kashmir?
“It worries me that for all these years, the Kashmir problem has not yet been solved,” he replied. “You know I was Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan from 1980-83,and am fully knowledgeable about the facts.”
“I wish from the depth of my heart that the problem of Kashmir should be amicably solved, because the problems between Pakistan and India are so vitally important for development of both countries.”
Shihabi explained that at the meetings of the Council of the Presidents of the General Assembly, there was great concern at what he described “as the growing threat of marginalization of the United Nations.
“Resolutions of the United Nations and the rule of law must be complied with,” he declared. “The Council of Presidents has called for urgent measures by the General Assembly requiring member countries to do so. “The General Assembly, as the most democratic and most representative body of the UN, must take the lead and thus demonstrate the political will of the peoples.”
During 2005, Shihabi said, the Council of Presidents has also urged greater attention to ensuring security and to combat international terrorism.
