Security Council – Work assessment under United States presidency (February 2006) – Letter from United States (excerpts)

Letter dated 19 May 2006 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

  I have the honour to enclose the assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of the United States in February 2006 (see annex). This assessment has been prepared under my own responsibility following consultations with other members of the Council.

  I should be grateful if the present letter and its annex could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed ) John R. Bolton

Annex to the letter dated 19 May 2006 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

    Assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of the United States (February 2006)

   Overview

  Under the presidency of Ambassador John R. Bolton, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, the Security Council engaged in an extensive programme of work during the month of February 2006. In an effort to streamline the working methods of the Council and modernize Council operations, the President instituted daily consultations to promote more interactive and timely discussions, and requested that the Secretariat provide daily briefings to contribute to a more enlightened consensus.

  During the month of February 2006, the Council held 36 meetings, including 17 closed consultations of the whole, 5 open briefings, 2 formal meetings, 2 private meetings and 3 public meetings, and hosted one event. The Council adopted four resolutions: 1657 (2006), 1658 (2006), 1659 (2006) and 1660 (2006). The Council produced six presidential statements: S/PRST/2006/5, S/PRST/2006/6, S/PRST/2006/7, S/PRST/2006/8, S/PRST/2006/9 and S/PRST/2006/10.

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   Asia

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    The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question 

  On 3 February, after consultations of the whole, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2006/6), concerning the Palestinian Legislative Council election results, in which it congratulated the Palestinian people on a free, fair and secure electoral process. The Council expressed its expectation that a new government would remain committed to realizing the aspirations of the Palestinian people for peace and statehood. The Council reiterated the importance of, and need to achieve, a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East based on all of its relevant resolutions.

  On 28 February, the Council held an open briefing during which the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, Alvaro de Soto, briefed the Council on current Palestinian, Israeli and Lebanese political developments and on the security situation in the region.

  On 28 February, in consultations of the whole, the Special Coordinator further elaborated on his open briefing of the same day.

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