NZ drops bid for UN seat

New Zealand has stood aside from its bid for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council in favour of the United States taking a place.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the decision had been made to avoid four nations contesting three positions available for Western states.

"The Human Rights Council has been widely criticised. It was our intention, in seeking election, to provide a force for change and improvement," he said.

"However, we believe that US membership of the council will strengthen it and make it more effective."

The US has been a harsh critic of the council and its past reincarnations, saying it members are quick to criticise others, but slow to recognise their own poor human rights records.

The decision by New Zealand to step aside follows the unanimous backing by the UN General Assembly for former Prime Minister Helen Clark as the head of its general programme.

It also comes ahead of a meeting between Mr McCully and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at which New Zealand hopes to make progress on trade talks and a closer relationship.

There has been speculation in diplomatic circles that a decision to step aside might be appreciated by the US and the super power would be far more effective in reforming the council.

Mr McCully acknowledged the latter issue. "Frankly, by any objective measure, membership of the council by the US is more likely to create positive changes more quickly than we could have hoped to achieve them."

The decision had not been taken lightly and NZ had gained widespread support for its bid, he said.

- NZPA