NU respects govt attitude to oppose UNCS draft statement

Jakarta, NU Online
The Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama has respected the government taking a brilliant measure in opposing the United Nation Security Council's daft statement condemning Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad`s recent statement on "Israel`s destruction."

"We appreciate the government's attitude, though it's late. The government's courage should be ideally shown as the UN resolution 1747 on Iran nuclear was signed," Chairman of the country's largest Muslim organization KH Said Aqil "Kang Said" Siradj said here on Sunday.<>

The United Nations Security Council in a session at the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday desisted from issuing a press statement strongly condemning Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad`s recent statement on "Israel`s destruction."

French Permanent Representative to the UN Jean-Marc de La Sabliere following the closing of the session, expressed his disappointment over the Security Council`s failure to issue the condemnation statement.

France was the initiator of the draft statement, which was fully supported by the United States of America (USA) and Britain.

Media reported early this week that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday (June 3) launched a new verbal attack on Israel, saying a "countdown" has begun that will end with Lebanese and Palestinian militants destroying the Zionist regime.

In a speech to mark the 18th anniversary of the death of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the president said last summer`s war between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah started the process.

"In Lebanon, the corrupt, arrogant powers and the Zionist regime did all they could in an unfair 33-day war. But after 60 years its (Israel`s) greatness fell apart," Iranian media quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.

"The countdown to this regime`s destruction started through the hands of Hezbollah`s children," Ahmadinejad said in a speech to visiting foreign guests in Tehran.

"We will witness the destruction of this regime in the near future thanks to the endeavors of all Palestinian and Lebanese fighters," Ahmadinejad added.

In response to the Iranian President`s statement, the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations (UN) in New York on June 6 sent a letter to the UN Security Council (UNSC) asking the UNSC to react to Ahmadinejad`s statement.

Both La Sabliere and US Permanent Representative to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad considered Ahmadinejad`s statement a serious issue.

Khalilzad recently told the press that the Iranian President`s statement was a principle and serious problem as well as unacceptable as it was a threat to international peace and security.

Of the 15 members of the UNSC, Indonesia is a non-permanent member, while France and the US are permanent members. Indonesia was the only country that opposed the UNSC draft press statement.(rif)