US/UN: The US yesterday threw its weight behind an expansion of the UN security council that would take in Japan as a permanent member, but not the other prime contender from the developed world, Germany.
Nicholas Burns, the under secretary of state for political affairs, said Washington backed a limited expansion of the council from 15 members to about 20, with "two or so" new permanent members including Japan. Mr Burns said the US did not believe that new permanent members should have the veto powers enjoyed by the existing permanent five - the US, Britain, France, Russia and China. He did not specify what other country should take a new permanent seat on the council, but US officials have been quoted as suggesting that the candidate should come from the developing world.
He hoped the restructuring would be part of a comprehensive reform of the UN to be discussed at a summit in September.
Washington's backing of Japan was a blow to Germany, which has been campaigning for a permanent seat. - (Guardian Service)