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DATE=4/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N SANCTIONS DEBATE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261447
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The United Nations Security Council is taking 
a hard look at the effectiveness of international 
sanctions, including their scope and implementation. 
V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery reports there is 
concern about the fairness of the measures. 
TEXT:  The imposition of sanctions has become an 
increasingly prominent way for the Security Council to 
attempt to force governments or groups to observe 
international law. Iraq, Yugoslavia, the UNITA 
guerilla group in Angola, and the Taleban rulers in 
Afghanistan are all current targets of U-N sanctions.
But there has been increasing debate at the United 
Nations about whether sanctions are fair or effective. 
U-N official Kieran Prendergast told the Council there 
is particular concern that economic sanctions hurt 
innocent civilians.
            /// PRENDERGAST ACT ///
      As regards the need to minimize the negative 
      effects of sanctions, the Council may wish to 
      consider including provision for humanitarian 
      exemptions in relevant resolutions. The 
      establishment of an appropriate mechanism able 
      to provide the Council with periodic evaluations 
      of sanctions' effectiveness as well as their 
      humanitarian, socio-economic and political 
      impact may also be considered useful.
            /// END ACT ///
United States representative James Cunningham said 
sanctions must never be imposed for symbolic reasons, 
but should be used as an alternative to military 
force. Once in effect, Mr. Cunningham said, sanctions 
must be maintained until they achieve the desired 
effect.
            /// CUNNINGHAM ACT ///
      Just as sanctions must never be lightly entered 
      into, they should not be terminated due to a 
      lack of resolve, a lack of will or a lack of 
      patience.
            /// END ACT ///
Other speakers said the Security Council should 
consider lifting sanctions when it is clear they are 
harming civilians and have little chance of changing a 
government's behavior.
The Council has established a separate working group 
to further study the role of sanctions as an 
instrument of enforcing international law consistent 
with U-N commitments to human rights and relieving the 
suffering of civilians. (Signed)  
NEB/BA/LSF/TVM/gm
17-Apr-2000 18:50 PM EDT (17-Apr-2000 2250 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.