‘All to play for’ at UN summit, says Ahern

DERMOT AHERN was unwilling to admit the UN summit was destined for failure in New York last night as negotiations went into overdrive.

The US, Egypt, Pakistan, Cuba and India were all refusing to concede on a definition of terrorism, a new human rights body, a peace building commission and intervention in genocide.

Mr Ahern, who has met 46 Foreign Ministers in his role as envoy to promote the UN reforms, met UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan and the president of the general assembly, Jean Ping.

“It’s all to play for. Outwardly things do not look too hopeful but you cannot invite 191 world leaders to a summit and not have an outcome,” he said.

Ireland and the EU support the 29-page document produced under the chairmanship of Mr Ping. Dissent has forced the parking of one of the most essential reforms - the composition of the Security Council, which has just five permanent members with a veto.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, during his address to the UN summit on Wednesday at midnight Irish time will unveil what Ireland’s aid target for 2015 will be.

At present Ireland gives some €500 million a year to third world development. This would increase to €1.8 billion by 2015 if the 0.7% target is to be met.