Tuesday, May 31 2005 12:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Reykjavik: Appreciating Iceland's readiness to co-sponsor the draft resolution of Group of Four (G-4) countries at the United Nations, President A P J Abdul Kalam today (May 31, 2005) stressed the "dire" need to reform the world body saying the changes would make it more compatible with contemporary realities.

"We believe that there is a dire need to reform the UN structure to make it more compatible with the contemporary realities and make it more democratic and transparent," Kalam said in his revised banquet speech, which was prepared after Iceland offered to co-sponsor the G-4 draft resolution to be presented at the United Nations in the middle of next month.

The banquet was hosted in the visiting President's honour by his Icelandic counterpart Olafur Ragnar Grimsson.

Kalam appreciated Iceland's principled stand and consistent support to India's candidature for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC) and readiness to co-sponsor the draft framework of the G-4 countries.

India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, which constitute the G-4 countries, had prepared a draft resolution on expansion, which will be placed before the United Nations next month and would require two-thirds majority for adoption by the 191-member body.

The draft, which was circulated earlier this month at the UN headquarters, lays down guidelines for size and component, mode of elections of countries and working pattern of the Security Council. It also has a review clause to evaluate the performance of UNSC member countries after every 15 years.

If the resolution is adopted, elections would take place after a fortnight, which calls for participation of two Asian countries, one each from South America and the European Union, along with two non-permanent members. A country that wants to enter the UNSC would have to apply and secure two-thirds majority to enter the Council.

Referring to ties between India and Iceland, Kalam said, "We deeply appreciate patronage of bilateral relations by Iceland" since the year 2000 when Grimsson visited India for the first time.

"My Government too shares your commitment to expand and deepen our ties for mutual advantage. We believe that my current visit to Iceland would give further fillip to our ties by providing visibility and fostering mutual awareness," he said.

Hailing the visiting President, Grimsson said, "Your own contribution to the progress of India has indeed been outstanding, based on scientific brilliance and a great respect for the power of human knowledge, but also inspired by the humility and humbleness which are such an admirable aspect of the Indian tradition."

Reminiscing about his visit to India, he said, "I am personally deeply grateful for all that India has taught me, for the lessons and the friendship I have enjoyed."

"India is growing in strength and certainly advancing, standing at the forefront of human knowledge, building successful enterprises in partnership with others - the new India, which in a decade or so together with China and the United States, will be the largest economy in the entire world."