The Hindu : India's claim for Security Council seat logical: Sweden

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 11, 2004

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India's claim for Security Council seat logical: Sweden

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 10 . Describing as just and logical India's claim to permanent membership of an enlarged United Nations Security Council, Sweden today called for speedy reforms of the world body where small and medium countries like it are treated in a fair way.

"I think India's claim is logical. I can't see that it is possible to go through reforms without India's support. India is a key player and with the biggest population, it is natural that they sit at the table," the Swedish Prime Minister, Goran Persson, said here after launching an Ericsson network management centre in Gurgoan here.

He, however, said that before supporting India's claim, he would like to see that small and medium size countries got a fair deal. "It is a whole package and I am realistic enough to realise that the present permanent members want to stick to their membership. How then to go ahead with reforms," he said adding that prior to giving any clear signal, he would like know "where will we sit."

"We both realise that there is a strong need for U.N. reforms and if we fail now, we will have very troublesome situation," he cautioned.

About the latest thaw in the India-Pakistan tensions, he said peace between the two neighbours was important for the region and for the world. For economic growth and prosperity, peace was a prerequisite, he said. Asked if Sweden was ready to play a role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan, he said: "No, I don't think so. If the partners do not ask for it... I don't think they will. They have started the peace process. I think they will solve the problem on their own."

"Conflict must be resolved and peace has just started happening in Asia," Mr. Goran said while adding that even China had started becoming active with regard to its relationship with Myanmar.

The Swedish Prime Minister also referred to his talks with the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, and said that the issue of India-Pakistan peace process and U.N. reforms were discussed. They also touched upon the situations in West Asia, Afghanistan and Iraq, besides areas of cooperation between the two countries, he said, adding that Sweden was looking forward to further consolidation of ties between the two countries.

In his address on the occasion, the Haryana Chief Minister, Om Parkash Chautala, spoke about the progress made by his State.

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