TNAG-0894-FCO40-1104-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 72

CONFIDENTIAL

2.

C

(iv) establishment of a fact-finding mission of members of

the Council (again the USSR would probably veto);

(v)

(vi)

a request to the Secretary-General to report on the

situation (just possible, and of marginal use);

a Namibia-type procedure, comprising an uncontroversial

Security Council resolution perhaps expressing regret at the situation or calling for a report by the Secretary- General, plus the separate establishment of an informal

group of members of the Security Council which would seek

to negotiate a long-term settlement with a view to its

eventual endorsement by the Security Council (but it has to be emphasized that this would be a long-term

undertaking).

Procedures

5.

Meetings are called by the President of the Council in response to requests, normally from UN member states. The Presidency rotates alphabetically. The UK is President in July, the US in

August, and Zambia in September. If some members of the Council are opposed to discussion of the subject, they may challenge adoption of the Agenda at the first formal meeting. Nine affirmativ votes are needed to secure adoption (there is no veto on this

procedural point).

Resolutions

6.

Draft resolutions are normally tabled by one or more members of the Council, invariably after informal negotiation on the text, to ensure as much support as possible. Most Council resolutions have

the effect of non-mandatory recommendations or requests for action by member states or the Secretary-General. Under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council can decide on economic or (in theory) military measures to deal with any quote threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression unquote. Which are binding on all member states. Chapter VII has hardly been used except in relation to sanctions and embargoes on Rhodesia and South Africa. Unless a draft resolution is of an entirely procedural nature, it is subject to veto (ie. a negative vote by a Permanent Member prevents its adoption, even though it receives nine positive votes).

/Prospects

CONFIDENTIAL