The Hindu : International : Russia not for G-4 move

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Monday, Jul 04, 2005

International

International

Russia not for G-4 move

Vladimir Radyuhin

"Reform debate must not lead to a split in the United Nations"

MOSCOW: Russia has indicated its opposition to the Group of Four decision to move a framework resolution in the United Nations on the Security Council reform.

A joint communique issued at the end of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Russia, the two countries said they were against rushing any U.N. reform plan before it wins very broad consensus.

"The sides believe that reform of the U.N. Security Council affects the vital interests of all parties and corresponding decisions must be based on a maximum broad consensus," said the communique released by the Kremlin on Sunday.

"To avoid a split Russia and China come out against imposing any time frames for taking uncoordinated decisions on the issue."

The criticism appears to be directed at the G-4 initiative since it is the only time-bound plan for U.N. reform today.

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday reiterated Russia's concerns that a U.N. reform should not weaken the main international organisation he has been projecting as an important balance to American unilateralism.

"Russia will agree to any reasonable plan [for U.N. reform] that will receive the support of a maximum broad number of States," Mr. Putin said at a joint press conference with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder after their trilateral meeting in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.

"The main thing for us is that the reform debate does not lead to a split in the organisation, does not provoke conflict and lack of mutual understanding, and does not turn the U.N. Security Council into a discussion club that is unable to resolve any key issues of the present day."

An anonymous Russian diplomat explained that Moscow is opposed to the G-4 plan to table a framework resolution on the Security Council reform in the U.N. General Assembly later this month.

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