The Hindu : International : G-4 introduces draft resolution in U.N.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005

International

International

G-4 introduces draft resolution in U.N.

Efforts unethical and selfish: Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS: In a major step that could radically transform the working of the United Nations, G-4 countries — India, Japan, Germany and Brazil — have formally introduced their framework resolution for expansion of the 15-member Security Council in the General Assembly. The draft calls for enlarging the Security Council from the current 15 members to 25 by creating six new permanent seats without veto power and four non-permanent seats.

Introducing the resolution on behalf of the G-4, seeking permanent membership of the Council, on Monday night, Brazilian U.N. Ambassador Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg rejected the suggestion that expansion should only be done through consensus, saying democratic expansion of the Council could only be achieved by election of the new permanent members by the 191-member General Assembly.

The date for vote is expected to be decided after G-4 Foreign Ministers have had discussions with representatives of the African Union (AU) in New York next Sunday to reconcile differences between AU and G-4 drafts.

Mr. Sardenberg said the security structure established in 1945 when the U.N. was created was ``now glaringly outdated. The Security Council needs to undergo a thorough reform which includes an expansion of the category of permanent members in order to bring it in line with the contemporary world.'' During the first day's inconclusive debate, G-4 found strong support from France, a co-sponsor, Latvia, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Tavalu, and Bhutan but the strongest criticism, as expected, came from China and Pakistan.

Opposition also came from Algeria, Argentina, Colombia and San Marino. Islamabad described the G-4 effort variously as ``unethical,'' ``selfish'' and ``fruitless.''

In a surprise move, Jordan supported the resolution but demanded that Arabs must have one seat.

China for consensus

China, which fully supports the UFC group and opposes election of permanent members to the Council as being proposed by G-4, said forcing through the ``immature formula'' of G-4 by means of vote is ``bound to split'' member states and regional groups and thus weaken the authority and role of U.N.

Rejecting the charge that the group was forcing a vote on the draft, Mr. Sardenberg informed the Assembly that for 10 months since they got together, the G-4 have had comprehensive talks at the UN and in the capitals with members states and that they stand ready to ``advance dialogue with all those groups that genuinely wish to promote'' the strengthening of the world body. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

G-4 introduces draft resolution in U.N.

Presidential election sought in Sri Lanka

Blair warns clerics preaching hatred

Japan, U.S. for progress in nuclear talks

Ex-Premier charged with fraud

Hu praises positive role of New Party

Jurassic trees

Vatican back in the black

Dramatic rise in HIV cases

WTO: India, China oppose bid to divide developing countries