Global Structures Convocation panel discussion on security council reform

Panel Discussion: "Security Council Composition Reform Proposals" Global Structures Convocation, Crystal City, VA. February 3-6,1994. (tape 35 in conference series) Panelists include: Sohn (provides an opening background), Scwartzberg (delivers his proposal), Childers (comments on proposal and subject), Ferencz (comments and delivers his proposal). The moderator is Ved Nanda. Ferencz boldly evaluates the present-day Security Council, calling it "tremendously ridiculous." He is outraged at the arrogance involved and the veto power provided. His modification and proposal allows the Security Council, if they have the political will, to erect an organ to carry out the necessary executive functions of 1) disarmament; 2) economic sanctions; 3) UN military forces; and 4) a system of effective social justice. This body is to be run by professionals in their field, not by aside bureaucrats sent in by governments to carry out interests of their own country. Under control of the Security Council, they could adopt new rules without any charter amendments. The rules would call for a kind of balance and sharing of responsibility so that everyone feels and recognizes that their concern is for all of humankind. Ferencz drafted his ideas in a number of books and claims that the process has already started, we just need to nurture and accelerate it. Finally, he admits that if the political will exists, his way can and will effect change quickly. A question and answer period follows.