New Delhi
20 June 2005
Even as Foreign Minister Natwar Singh cuts short his visit to Italy to
attend Wednesday's meeting of foreign ministers of G-4 countries in Brussels that would
take stock of the situation arising out of the US' statement favouring inclusion of Japan
and one other country only in an expanded United Nations Security Council, Brazil has
said that the only way forward for the grouping was to remain together and to resist
attempts to delay the democratisation of UN.
"We favour G-4 sticking together and defend UN reforms. It is important not to miss this
opportunity that may not present itself again in a generation," Ambassador of Brazil Jose
Vicente Pimentel told this newspaper. He also observed that it was imperative that
geographical balance be maintained so that no region goes unrepresented in the
expanded UN SC.
The envoy's observation comes in the wake of the US formulation on expansion of UN
SC by two which is seen as a stumbling block for the G-4 that has been canvassing for a
permanent seat in the UN SC for close to 12 years now. Another issue of concern for the
G-4 is the talk of a consensus which, the member-countries of the grouping insist, is
another word for inaction.
The US has already extended support to Japan's candidature. It has now hinted that it
could support India for the second berth given her democratic traditions, contribution to
UN peacekeeping operations and certain other criteria. It is in this backdrop that foreign
ministers of G-4 countries would be meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
Like Brazial, Germany too has opposed the US proposal, which is being seen as
blocking the aspirations of the developing world. Observers said the G-4 might choose to
wait for the meeting of the African Union next month before renewing efforts to move the
amended resolution calling for permanent membership of the UN SC without veto
powers.
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