How does Guterres' use of Article 99 cause concern to Washington?

By Moussa Assi
Source: Al Mayadeen
7 Dec 2023 22:37
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The activation of Article 99 assumes global importance as Guterres speaks on behalf of all international organizations, creating a consensus on the accusations of genocide against "Israel."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a session at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

During a high-stakes meeting in Geneva, UN sources disclosed to Al Mayadeen that the United States, the UK, and France expressed strong dissatisfaction with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' decision to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter. This move grants him unprecedented authority to discuss the situation in Gaza before the UN Security Council and make consequential decisions.

Guterres, known for attempting to persuade the US to engage in discussions on the humanitarian crisis and endorse a comprehensive ceasefire since "Israel" resumed its aggression on Gaza in December, faced a roadblock with Washington's refusal to act decisively. In response, Guterres resorted to invoking Article 99.

The US perceives Guterres' decision as a significant embarrassment, interpreting the clause's use as indirect international recognition of "Israel's" genocide in Gaza. Nations supporting "Israel", particularly the US, are implicated in the perceived complicity.

The activation of Article 99 assumes global importance as Guterres speaks on behalf of all international organizations, creating a consensus on the accusations of genocide against "Israel."

In a challenging position, the US faces two options in discussing Gaza: refraining from using its veto power, effectively halting the war (considered highly unlikely), or exercising its veto, granting "Israel" official authorization to continue without justification.

Recalling the US veto against a Russian resolution for a Gaza ceasefire, citing attempts to politicize discussions, the US now confronts a politically neutral party symbolized by Antonio Guterres.

The activation of Article 99 was announced on Wednesday by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

This marked the first instance of Guterres utilizing Article 99 of the UN Charter to call for the Security Council's action since assuming his position in 2017, Dujarric said.

The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has called on the member states of the EU in the Security Council to support the plea made by Guterres.

"The UNSC must act immediately to prevent a full collapse of the humanitarian situation in Gaza," Borrell said in a post on X.

He further urged "Israel" to "enable all UN Agencies, including their Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings, to provide urgent support to civilians in Gaza."

It is important to note that 111 UN employees have been martyred as a result of this genocide.

Guterres had previously said that this represents the "largest loss of personnel in the history of our organization."

"Israel's" Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gilad Erdan justified their killing on the basis that "Many UNRWA workers in Gaza are themselves members of Hamas. The time has come to bust the myth of UN-supplied facts," he said on November 10.