Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday asked the UN General Assembly to speed up reforming the Security Council by creating more seats — including one for Japan.
Koizumi told the assembly it should focus on the issue. ”Japan intends to work hard toward that end,” he said.
The world body has never amended the 1945 UN Charter to delete a description of Japan and Germany as ”enemy” states after their defeat in World War II, he said.
The charter was drafted by victors of the war in San Francisco, which designated those two countries and others as enemies of the victorious allies. Efforts to delete the term have so far failed.
There are currently five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain — and 10 members elected for two-year terms each.
Talks on reforming the council began 10 years ago and except for changes in processes, the UN is deadlocked on the issue of enlarging the number of seats to more than 20, including enlarging permanent seats from five to more than seven.
Japan and Germany have support from many countries for permanent membership. Japan is the second largest financial donor to the United Nations after the United States. Germany ranks fourth.
Germany is expected to be elected a council member later in September.
The 10 elected members rotate among the world’s five regions. Both Japan and Germany have shown their impatience in gaining the permanent seat, which gives them veto power like the current five.
The council is the highest political body in the United Nations, whose resolutions are binding on UN members.
In his address to the assembly, Koizumi turned to various topics, urging Iraq to comply with UN resolutions by immediately and unconditionally admitting arms inspectors.
He urged the Security Council to adopt a resolution ”as soon as possible” to demand the return of the inspectors. – Sapa-DPA