The Hindu : International : U.N. Council: Pakistan denies change in stand

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 24, 2005

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International

U.N. Council: Pakistan denies change in stand

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 23. Pakistan has said there is no change in its stand on opposition to expansion of the U.N. Security Council and so the question of it backing the claim of any country for a seat does not arise.

The Foreign Office spokesman, Masood Khan, told reporters that Islamabad believed that the Council must be made more "representative, democratic and accountable." He said the Council's reform should cover size, composition, working methods, decision-making and accountability.

Pressing issues

Mr. Khan said there was no truth in reports quoting the Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, as telling his interlocutors in Tokyo that Pakistan supported Japan's claim for a permanent seat but opposed India's bid. He said Pakistan believed the Council should not create "new centres of privilege, with or without veto." Mr. Khan said it was the endeavour of Pakistan that the overarching reform of the U.N. should not be eclipsed and overshadowed by the debate on the enlargement of the Council.

He maintained that other pressing issues such as development goals, resolution of inter-state conflicts, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism must also get equal and proportionate attention. "The proposed reform is, in fact, a quest for a new vision of collective security, one that addresses major threats to peace, security and prosperity." Mr. Khan said that it was along these lines that Mr. Kasuri has held talks with his Japanese interlocutors. Mr. Kasuri has expressed the hope that Japan would help the international community achieve the objective of a comprehensive and balanced U.N. reform.

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