There has finally been what looks like movement in the glacial pace of UN reform.
CNN is reporting that the US has endorsed expanding the Permanent membership of the UNSC to 7 members. With one of those new members being Japan. CNN suggests other frontrunners for Permanent seats are Germany, Brazil, Israel, and India.
The US also apparently supports the expansion or modification of non-permanent seats on the council though, wisely, cautions against creating a massive council that has no chance of coming to agreement on anything.
None of the new seats be given Veto power, and the US does not support taking away any current vetos (or at least not its’ own).
It’s good to see that there is finally some talk about this. I assume ti will all be tied to the annual meeting of the General Assembly in September.
I would like to hear some support of the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine… which encourages the UN to take more initiative in preventing and reacting quickly to humanitarian disasters and those who threaten innocent people.
Please read my previous posts on that subject.
I will also be interested to see if this topic is brought up at the G8… all the Permanent members of the Council will be represented there except China… but Japan *will* be there.
I would expect Japan to get a permanent seat. It may anger China… but I think even they will understand Japans qualifications as a member and their massive support from Europe and the US. As for the second member, I think it must go to one of the emerging powerhouses. Either India or Brazil. Brazil would perhaps be the longest shot, but most symbolic, as it would be a first for the South American continent and a real message of confidence to the governments South America that they will now have a voice. India is, however in much the same position. Being the 2nd most populous country in the world… the largest democracy in the world, and with a booming economy and improving social conditions they are extremely hard to deny.
We’ll see in the coming months who comes out on top, or indeed, if this debate even results in any concrete change, rather than continued talk by the diplomats.