On the question of UN reform

THE EDITOR, Madam:

ONCE AGAIN Mr. Stephen Vasciannie offered us an excellent analysis, this time about the United Nations commemorating the new millennium, the question of the reform of the UN Security Council and the position of Jamaica (The Gleaner, Monday September 11, 2000).

Jamaica and Mexico share similar views on that matter, however, I agree with Mr. Vasciannie when he states that the debate on that reform will continue "well into the new millennium".

It is useful to remind readers why it is so difficult to change the UN system. The UN Charter cannot be amended without the consent of the Permanent Members of the Security Council (China, France, Russia, USA, and UK). The task of convincing the governments of those countries to relinquish their present veto privilege is Herculean.

History and "realpolitik" are important intellectual tools for a lecturer such as Mr. Vasciannie. However, I hate to read a scholar from the Caribbean unnecessarily validating meta-juridical concepts such as "areas within American or Russian spheres of influence" which have been used as invalid excuses for so many violations of the rule of law among nations.

I am, etc.,

JOSE LUIS VALLARTA,

Ambassador of Mexico.

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