Thursday, June 9 2005 21:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: India and other G-4 nations have proposed not to exercise the veto right for 15 years in a new draft resolution seeking expansion of the 15-member UN Security Council (UNSC) by addition of six permanent and four non-permanent members.

The draft, which emerged from weeks of discussions, keeps the principle of veto for the new permanent members intact.

However, they would not exercise it until the question of its extension has been decided by a review conference 15 years after the amendments to Charter giving effect to the recommendations in the resolution come into force.

In effect, the new permanent members would not have veto right for at least first 15 years after taking their place.

Replying to questions, Indian UN ambassador Nirupam Sen said the amended draft had not been diluted so far as veto was concerned as it kept the principle intact.

During the 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.

Some 160-member states attended the meeting where the draft was presented, but Pakistan, Italy, Mexico and China were conspicuous by their absence.

Also, in a major victory for the G-4, France agreed to co-sponsor the resolution.