Posted on 07/01/2005 8:02:35 AM PDT by Srirangan
New Delhi, July 1 (PTI) Pledging its "active" support to India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Britain today said it would back the G-4 resolution seeking expansion of the world body but expressed difficulties in co-sponsoring it.
"We believe it is right because of India's size and importance and if the Security Council is to maintain its legitimacy, it is quite proper to ask a country like India to be represented in it," British High Commissioner Michael Arthur told reporters here.
Britain has been "very vocal" and "active supporter" of India's membership of the Security Council, he said noting "we have encouraged other governments in the world to see it the same way".
About the G-4 resolution spearheaded by India, Brazil, Germany and Japan which seeks raising of the Security Council strength from 15 to 25 with six new permanent members including two from Africa, he said "we are going to support it".
On Britian sponsoring the resolution, he said this was more a "technical New York specific issue". Observing that there were complications on either side of the debate on this issue, he said Britain had to take into account the "sensitivities" and tread carefully in the way it handled it.
During his meetings in London last week, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh was assured by his counterpart Jack Straw that Britain supported India's claim for a permanent seat but without veto power. PTI
I agree. If China has a permanent seat - India should as well.
Is there any way for only some of the G-4 to get seats? Or will it be voted up or down as a package? Giving Germany a seat would be hard to swallow.
"...with six new permanent members including two from Africa..."
Zimbabwe, Somalia, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa ?
Zimbabwe, Somalia, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa ?
Africa? Why not Antarctica, as well. There is no significant African country.
Only because you dislike the current German government. The opposition for instance supported the Iraq war against a strong anti-war movement within the population. Still, they´re likely to replace the Schröder administration on Sept 18th. Schröder today lost a confidence vote in parliament (he planned it) in order to make way clear for early elections. His time is past.
It pains me to say this, but it seems to me that, as in many European countries, anti-Americanism is becoming more and more a defining feature of German identity. Undoubtedly we in the US have contributed to this problem, but not as much as many Europeans think.
I would certainly love to be wrong.
You´re partially right. The US as well as the media and the current German government are responsible for this trend. I´m optimistic that a pro-American government can change the feelings towards a more friendly atmosphere.
If China has a permanent seat - Taiwan should as well
That would be ideal for us, but the U.S. would have to recognize Taiwan's independence first.
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