Gillerman: N. Korea test precedent to West's dealing with Iran
Israel's ambassador to the UN tells Ynet that South Korea's Ban could be good for Israel, says treatment of N. Korea to serve as precedent to Iran
WASHINGTON - Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Gillerman estimated that the world's reaction to North Korea's nuclear test would serve as a precedent to the West's treatment of Iran.
He told Ynet Monday that "even a nation such as China understands that what is happening with North Korea is the 'coming soon' occurrence in Iran, and we must not let that happen."
After weeks of threats, N. Korea formally announced Sunday that it had successfully conducted its first nuclear test, despite vast pressure that had been exerted by the international community.
The country's official Korean Central News Agency said the underground test was performed successfully "with indigenous wisdom and technology 100 percent," and that no radioactive material had leaked from that test site.
"It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the (Korean People's Army) and people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defense capability," KCNA said. "It will contribute to defending the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the area around it."
Reactions from around the globe were quick in coming. The United States circulated a draft UN resolution late Monday that would condemn North Korea's nuclear test and impose tough sanctions on it for disregarding the Security Council's appeal not to detonate a device.
South Korea announced that it would "respond harshly" and even China, one of N. Korea's few allies, sent a disapprobatory reaction, stating that it opposed the nuclear test and hoped that N. Korea would return to the international negotiating table.
Ban good for Israel
Pursuant to UN Security Council indications pointing to South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the next UN Secretary General, Gillerman stated that Ban's appointment was good for Israel's standing in the UN.
A formal UN vote is imminent to decide on Ban's formal appointment to replace Kofi Annan on January 1st, 2007. Gillerman praised the Security Council's choice and recalled two recent meetings with Ban: one formal meeting with Tzipi Livni at the UN assembly and one personal meeting.
"He is a quiet, experienced and professional diplomat. He is not a man of fireworks, but nevertheless is very thorough, with a deep and clear understanding of the conflict. I believe that he understands Israel's stance," stated Gillerman.
Gillerman posited that Ban's first big challenge will be appointing his staff, adding that Ban had an opportunity to redesign the UN headquarters in the upcoming decade, as many of the senior officials are retiring. "There's an opportunity for change," he said.
Gillerman added that he was hesitant to hold everything to the standard 'Is it good or bad for the Jews?' "If the secretary general is serious and fair and appoints underlings who are serious and fair, and the UN will be serious, clean and organized, this will be good for the Jews."
"The bottom line is that we're on the right side of the equation. Today, we live in a different world, which is not separated into rich and poor, but rather in a world which is separated into terrorists and those who fight terror, primarily against the Iranian threat," he continued.
According to Gillerman, "Ban understands that Israel is on the right side. Israel and South Korea have a good relationship, including intensive financial dealings. South Korea also has a good relationship with the US and Ban has excellent personal connections in Washington. We are entering an era that could be very positive."
Last week, the 15 members of the Security Council conducted a straw poll and determined that Ban was the leading candidate to replace Kofi Annan. Ban said, following the vote, that, if elected, his first priority would be the restoration of public trust in the UN.
