MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US Security Council: Dominican Republic a new option

The Dominican Republic is considering its candidacy to the disputed United Nations Security Council non permanent seat following a suggestion from Venezuela, said Dominican president Leonel Fernandez.

During a press conference in Washington on Thursday, Fernandez revealed that on Wednesday he was contacted by Venezuela's Foreign Affairs minister Nicolas Maduro who asked him about the Dominican Republic's availability and willingness to the Latinamerican and Caribbean Security Council seat.

The process to elect a Latinamerican representative has been stalled following 35 ballot rounds in the UN General Assembly between Venezuela and Guatemala, which has unable to garner the needed two thirds vote.

However President Fernandez conditioned the Dominican candidacy to Guatemala's position, which has much to do with what finally happens, although following "35 rounds it's clear that something must change so we can advance".

The Dominican Republic "could be available" in the event a formal offering is made said Mr. Fernandez following a conference in Washington's think-tank Centre for International Strategic Studies.

President Fernandez also revealed that his government has begun "regional contacts" on the issue to fathom the extent of his country's candidacy's acceptance.

The current stalled dispute which has seen Guatemala ahead of Venezuela in all 35 ballots but insufficient to ensure the seat, has led to speculation as to alternative candidates including Bolivia, whose president, Evo Morales, announced last Tuesday that Venezuela had "ceded" the candidacy to La Paz.

Last Friday Costa Rica publicly discarded its candidacy to the non permanent seat, an option sponsored by many of Guatemala's supporters. However until Wednesday, Guatemala was insistent on keeping its candidacy.

UN General Assembly president Haya Rashed Al Khalifa suspended Wednesday the balloting for six days, hoping that Latinamerican and Caribbean countries can reach a consensus on the issue. Whoever is finally elected will be succeeding Argentina as of January first 2007 for a two year period.