U.N. resolution spells out Vatican's rights as permanent observer

Published: 2004-07-02

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- The U.N. General Assembly July 1 approved a resolution spelling out the Vatican's "rights and privileges of participation" in its work as a U.N. observer and in conferences sponsored by the United Nations and its agencies. An annex to the resolution identified specific rights, such as participation in the general debate held at the opening of each new session of the General Assembly and circulation of Vatican documents "directly, and without intermediary, as official documents of the assembly." Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, said in an interview that the resolution would not necessarily bring major changes in the Vatican's U.N. activity. But he said the action July 1 was significant in establishing the permanent observer status on the "solid base" of an explicit decision of the General Assembly, which includes all 191 U.N. members. The Vatican has had permanent observer status at the United Nations since 1964, but it operated under unwritten rules. The archbishop noted the Vatican's status was based on a letter from then-Secretary-General U Thant.

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