Five nations win seats on U.N. Security Council
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-16 09:53

Argentina, Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania on Friday won coveted two-year terms on the U.N. Security Council at a time when pressure is mounting to expand the powerful 15-nation body.

Koichi Haraguchi, Japanese Embassador to the United Nations, left, shakes hands with French Ambassador to the UN , Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, during a vote for the five new non-permanent members of the Security Council during a General Assembly meeting at UN headquarters Friday, Oct. 15, 2004. [AP]

The 191-nation U.N. General Assembly elected the five, all unopposed, to fill vacancies created by the departure of Angola, Chile, Germany, Pakistan and Spain on Dec. 31.

The council has five permanent members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- and 10 nonpermanent seats, chosen by region, five of which change hands every year.

Algeria, Benin, Brazil, the Philippines and Romania, which began their terms in January 2004, will remain on the council for another year.

The Security Council is responsible for international peace and security, and its decisions can be legally binding on all U.N. members.

With the United Nations marking its 60th birthday next year, there is growing pressure to enlarge the council, whose five permanent members have held onto their seats and wielded veto power since the end of World War II in 1945.

Japan's new council seat could help its campaign for a permanent seat. Tokyo has joined forces with Germany, Brazil and India, all of whom say they should be represented permanently on the council.

Japan is the second largest financial contributor to the United Nations after the United States, paying some 20 percent of the organization's regular budget.

Others seeking a permanent seat include Italy, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.

A BOOST FOR JAPAN

In Tokyo, Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said Japan would use its two-year seat to help build the case for Security Council reforms including a permanent seat for itself.

"We believe this election outcome is an expression of the international community's support and expectations based on our achievements and attitude over many years," he said.

Most U.N. members consider the council's composition outdated and unrepresentative. Any change would require the approval of two-thirds of General Assembly members and no veto from the five permanent council members.

"It is crucial for us to be there to echo the views of developing countries, particularly in Africa," said Abdul Kater Shareef, deputy foreign minister of newly elected council member Tanzania.

"Both permanent and nonpermanent seats need to be added to ensure a more democratic and more inclusive council," Shareef told Reuters.

African states hope for two new permanent seats, but have not yet sorted out among themselves which particular countries should fill them if they succeed, he said.

Friday's election outcome has been known for weeks as there were only five contenders for the five slots opening up on the 15-nation body. Candidates are frequently unopposed as they are selected in advance by regional groups.

The assembly nevertheless voted by secret ballot, with 189 nations participating. Argentina was the high scorer with 188 votes. Greece got 187, Tanzania 186, Japan 184 and Denmark 181

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