AMBASSADOR Dennis Francis, president of the UN General Assembly, expressed his concern at the current conflict in Venezuela but believes the UN could play in a role towards resolution.

He spoke to reporters on August 4 on landing at Piarco Airport for a four-day official visit.

Asked how it was to be back, he said, "It is always a pleasure coming home. And it is a particular pleasure on this occasion."

He said he had six weeks remaining in his term, heading the 78th session of the UN general assembly.

He did not want to judge his own tenure when asked how he had done, saying that question was best answered by others.

"I can't assess myself. I mean I can, but I shouldn't. Of course everyone wants to succeed, so that question is best posed to others.

"To the extent that the work is being done and has been done, it has been uneventful. Uneventful in the sense that nothing disruptive (has happened) to undermine the performance of the office of the president of the General Assembly. So to that extent it has been without accident."

Newsday asked if he had any hopes for the situation in Venezuela.

"In diplomacy there is always (hope). That is what diplomacy is. Dialogue. When people sit down and talk you can never predict a priori (from beforehand) where the discussion will go.

"At the UN, hope is always something that is in our consciousness, because conflicts can be resolved, through dialogue. We have seen that over and over again. And the hope is that dialogue will take place."

Newsday asked if there might be a role for the UN to try to facilitate dialogue to resolve the Venezuela crisis.

He replied, "Absolutely. That is part of the mandate of the UN. Where there is conflict, to assist and support, sometimes to provide good offices, sometimes to provide mediation, but to get the parties together, around the tables so they can confront the issues openly and frankly and come to some common understanding as to how they can be resolved.

"Anything that does that, that promotes peace, is what the UN does and will support."

Newsday asked if the UN was considering any time line to get the parties sitting down and talking, given the daily disturbances now happening at ground level in Venezuela.

Francis said, "There is never per se a time line because every conflict is different.

[caption id="attachment_1100478" align="alignnone" width="684"] UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis arrives at the Piarco International Airport on Sunday. - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

"Sometimes what is possible in one domain is not possible in others. So it is not the timeline. It is the moment. It is recognising the moment when it would be appropriate for that dialogue to take place. Of course the dialogue will not happen unless all parties to the conflict – both parties – agree."

Newsday asked if the current situation in Venezuela was of concern.

"Any electoral situation that results in uncertainty, in doubt, in claims of impropriety, and of fraud, is a matter of concern, because the UN strongly promotes and su