천안함 사건과 유엔(2010년 7월 11일)

유엔 안전보장이사회(안보리)가 7월 9일자로 발표한 의장 성명을 읽다 보면 탄식이 절로 나옵니다.

천안함 침몰로 46명이 귀한 목숨을 잃은 게 3월 26일, 사건 후 100여 일이 지나 나온 안보리의 성명 전문에 흐르는 애매모호함 때문입니다. 한마디로 '공격은 규탄하지만 공격자는 모르겠다'인데, 이런 성명을 왜 내어 스스로의 한계를 드러내는 것인지 이해할 수 없습니다.

 

유엔은 2차대전 후인 1945년, 국가간의 전쟁을 막고 대화를 통해 평화를 증진한다는 목적으로 창설되었고, 안보리는 이듬해 1월에 첫 회의를 연 후 무수한 회의를 통해 성명과 결의문을 발표했지만, 목적은 아직 이루어야할 꿈입니다. 물론 강대국들의 눈치를 보느라 제 목소리를 내지 못하는 국제기구가 유엔 하나만은 아닙니다만.

 

안보리는 5개 상임이사국과 10개의 비상임이사국으로 구성되며, 회원국 명칭을 알파벳 순서로 정해 그 순서에 따라 달마다 각 나라 대표가 의장을 역임합니다. 2010년 7월 의장은 나이지리아의 우 조이 오구(U Joy Ogwu)입니다. 아래는 천안함 사건에 대한 안보리 의장 성명 전문입니다.

 

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2010/13:

 

“The Security Council notes the letter dated 4 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/281), and the letter dated 8 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/294).

 

“The Security Council deplores the attack on 26 March 2010 which led to the sinking of the Republic of Korea naval ship, the Cheonan, resulting in the tragic loss of 46 lives.

 

“The Security Council determines that such an incident endangers peace and security in the region and beyond.

 

“The Security Council deplores the loss of life and injuries and expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families and to the people and Government of the Republic of Korea, and calls for appropriate and peaceful measures to be taken against those responsible for the incident aimed at the peaceful settlement of the issue in accordance with the United Nations Charter and all other relevant provisions of international law.

 

“In view of the findings of the Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group led by the Republic of Korea with the participation of five nations, which concluded that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was responsible for sinking the Cheonan, the Security Council expresses its deep concern.

“The Security Council takes note of the responses from other relevant parties, including from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which has stated that it had nothing to do with the incident.

“Therefore, the Security Council condemns the attack which led to the sinking of the Cheonan.

“The Security Council underscores the importance of preventing further such attacks or hostilities against the Republic of Korea or in the region.

“The Security Council welcomes the restraint shown by the Republic of Korea and stresses the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in North-East Asia as a whole.

“The Security Council calls for full adherence to the Korean Armistice Agreement and encourages the settlement of outstanding issues on the Korean peninsula by peaceful means to resume direct dialogue and negotiation through appropriate channels as early as possible, with a view to avoiding conflicts and averting escalation.

“The Security Council reaffirms the importance that all Member States uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”