Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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Statement by the United States - NGOs - Global policy Forum Statement by the US Before the ECOSOC
US Mission Press Release
on the Issue of ASOPAZCO
July 28, 2000
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My delegation wishes to make an amendment to the Cuban draft decision before us today. The U.S. proposes that paragraph b of E/2000/L.21 be deleted. This paragraph calls for the temporary suspension of the NGO ASOPAZCO.
The Council may not be aware that the recommendation of the NGO Committee to suspend ASOPAZCO was not adopted by consensus. My delegation was among a group of member States that voted against suspension. The U.S. does not believe that suspension is warranted in this case, and is opposed to temporary suspension.
Additionally, there are no ECOSOC provisions for the temporary suspension of an NGO. The practice of following procedure in this body is paramount, and absent provisions authorizing ECOSOC to take such an action, my delegation believes that the Council would be acting prematurely by suspending ASOPAZCO. Suspending the consultative status of an NGO is a serious matter, the consequence of which results in the silencing of a voice. My delegation is of the belief that the Council should wait until the resumed ECOSOC session in October to take action on this matter.
With this in mind, the U.S. seeks the support of all ECOSOC members to delete paragraph b.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
