Sunday, May 1 2005 09:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The United States has said that the expansion of the United Nations Security Council will be examined in terms of its effectiveness and the problems of the 21st Century, adding it was not 'surprised' the matter had become an issue with India.

"I don't think it (Security Council) would necessarily be weaker if it is larger. But these are questions that clearly have to be examined very closely," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Brazilian magazine 'Veja' in an interview.

"The one thing I will say is that the UN was formed in 1945 and obviously we have to start to look at these issues so that the UN can be updated to look as if it is really ready to deal with the 21st century, not the 20th," Rice said with regard to Security Council reform.

The US was not surprised by demands for 'reform' of the Security Council, Rice said, adding, "I am not at all surprised that countries that are taking on a more global role are desirous of Security Council membership and are pressing their case. I am not at all surprised that it has become an issue in Brazil or India or other places."

Rice said that India along with Brazil and South Africa were emerging as global powers, adding the US had nothing to fear from the development.

"It is a wonderful thing from our point of view because the United States does not fear others being important and powerful and able to do things in international politics, particularly when she share common values of democracy," the Secretary said.

The Secretary, who said that Security Council reform needed to be linked to reform of the UN structure as a whole, said the US wanted the Council to be "effective".