G-4 ready to forgo veto right for 15 yrs

India and other G-4 nations have proposed to give up their veto right for 15 years in a new draft resolution seeking expansion of the United Nations Security Council, official sources said on Thursday.

This follows the G-4 proposal for the addition of six permanent and four non-permanent members in the council.

The resolution was passed in a meeting that was attended by 160 members. However, Pakistan, Italy, Mexico and China were conspicuous by their absence.

India's Ambassador to the UN Nirupam Sen said the amended draft has not been diluted so far as veto is concerned as it keeps the principle intact.

The new permanent members don't have veto right for at least the first 15 years after taking their place. During these 15 years, member states would have the time to judge the contribution made by new permanent members and then decide whether that right should be extended to them.

Ambassadors of G-4 expressed confidence that they would get two-thirds majority required for adoption of the resolution in the 191-member General Assembly.

The G-4 nations are planning to put the draft to vote in assembly by June end. It would be followed by a second resolution on election of new permanent members and a third resolution seeking amendment to the charter to increase the strength of the council to 25. All the three resolutions would require two-thirds majority.

Among the permanent members, China is openly lobbying with member states against increasing permanent members. It has veto power but that would not affect the first three resolutions if the G-4 are able get two-thirds majority.

Among other permanent members, France is co-sponsor, Britain has given firm indication that it would support G-4, Russia is also expected to go along and the United States is yet to indicate its official position.