UNITED NATIONS, June 1: China has indicated that it would use its veto power to block a proposed resolution by G-4 states to expand the UN Security Council and give permanent seats to Japan, Germany, India and Brazil. China’s UN Ambassador Wang Guangya said in an interview: “I think what has been proposed by G-4 is very dangerous, so as far as China is concerned, we will work with others to see that this will not happen”.
G-4 states — Japan, Germany, India and Brazil — circulated the resolution on May 16 and indicated they would put it to a vote in the General Assembly session in June. Wang said the resolution would split the UN membership, and if the G-4 push for a vote “the whole atmosphere in this house would be undermined and would be destroyed.”
The result, Wang said, will be that UN members will not be able to discuss other more important issues that Secretary-General Kofi Annan wants included in a major overhaul of the United Nations to meet the global threats and challenges of the 21st century - from a new peace building commission and human rights council to new measures to reduce poverty and promote education.
The “Uniting for Consensus” group led by Pakistan and Italy has consistently opposed the idea of more permanent seats in the expanded Security Council, instead they have proposed expanding the non-permanent slot of the council by ten seats. As a compromise they have suggested that 12 of the 20 non-permanent seats could be made semi-permanent seats with regional groups selecting their candidates for a period of three years instead of two.
They warned that the move by G-4 would divide the 191 members of the world body and undermine the rest of the reform process proposed by the UN secretary general last March.
The UFC and G-4 nations have held three meetings in an attempt to reach a compromise without success. Asked about the resolution on his return from a trip to Sudan, Mr Annan said: “I think what is important is that the dialogue continues and they explore all prospects for consensus, and then, if that fails, move forward with the suggestions.”
To be adopted the G-4 resolution needs to be approved by two-thirds of the 191 member states, but that’s only the first step. New permanent members would then have to be elected by a similar two-thirds vote. But the most difficult step is a final resolution to change the UN Charter, which not only requires a two-thirds vote but also approval by the Security Council’s five permanent members who wield veto power - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.
China’s Wang said that “if it comes to the last stage, I’m sure our legislature would take into account the feelings of others - and I don’t think they would take a very positive action on this.”
At a meeting last Friday hosted by France, China urged the other four permanent members not to co-sponsor the G-4 resolution, council diplomats said on condition of anonymity. But Britain and France are likely to back it, they said.
