By Jan Sharma
Katsuyuki Kawai, the special Japanese envoy, secured Nepali support for Japan’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council but without a categorical commitment on the G4 draft framework resolution on UN reforms.
The G4 draft resolution, mooted by Japan along with other aspirants for the permanent membership of the Security Council including Germany, Brazil and India, seeks the expansion of the Security Council from 15 to 25.
It would add six permanent seats — two each from Asia and Africa, one each from Latin America and Western Europe. The four non-permanent seats will include one each from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.
At present, there are five permanent members with veto power – the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China – and 10 non-permanent members serving 2-year term without a veto.
The draft is one of the several proposals under discussion at present. The G4 as a compromise has also agreed that they would not insist for a veto power for at least another 15 years following stiff opposition from other member countries.
Nepal is understood to be studying various proposals, including the G4 draft that seeks to focus on the expansion of the Security Council for enhancing “better representation” of the member countries including from the developing world.
His Majesty King Gyanendra grants audience to Katsuyuki Kawai, member of the House of Representatives and parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs of Japan…
His Majesty King Gyanendra grants audience to Katsuyuki Kawai, member of the House of Representatives and parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs of Japan…
However, the expansion of the Security Council is one of many components of the reforms being proposed for strengthening the role and effectiveness of the United Nations for guaranteeing international peace and security.
Unfortunately, the expansion of the Security Council is an area where there seems to be no consensus among the member states at the moment. It is in this view that China has been insisting on an “extensive, transparent discussions and unanimous agreements.”
This means it would not be a surprise if Beijing shoots down any plans for expansion of the Security Council unless there is a broad consensus among the member states. In effect, it means Japan’s bid for a veto-less permanent membership could land into trouble.
China does support Brazil, Germany and India but is opposed to Japan. Chinese opposition to Japan is surprising, because since coming to power Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has done everything possible not to anger China.
This January, Koizumi did not visit the Yasukuni shrine, which honors 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including Class A war criminals. The request not to do so was made by China, which sees the visit as a bid to revive Japanese militarism.
However, Tokyo approved textbooks that play down Japan’s World War II conquests in China and South Korea, inviting angry anti-Japanese demonstrations.
China supports a rival plan proposed by Italy, Mexico, South Korea and Pakistan which also seeks to create a new tier of eight semi-permanent members — two each from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas — to serve for four years and one non-permanent seat.
The fate of both the plans for the expansion of the Security Council hinges on an amendment to the UN Charter. Unless two thirds of the total of 191 member states vote, such an amendment is unlikely to happen.
The next few weeks will indicate whether China seeks greater debate for reaching a consensus among member states on the question of expansion of the Security Council or wants to block Japan’s entry into the exclusive club.
Yet, it would be rude to deny Japan a permanent seat in the Security Council. It is the second largest financial contributor to the world body after Washington. It has been playing an active role in the international peacekeeping under the UN auspices.
If Tokyo decides to stop funding, the United Nations would virtually collapse. This year, it has provided nearly $346 million, which roughly comes to 20 percent of the UN budget. It is also one of the largest sources of official development assistance.
The mist surrounding the proposed reforms, including the expansion of the Security Council, will clear in September when the world leaders will discuss an overhaul of the world body to effectively meet the new challenges of the international peace and security.