Friday, July 8 2005 15:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: Political activity at the UN intensified as those opposed to the resolution tabled by India, Japan, Germany and Brazil, contenders for permanent seats on expansion of the Security Council, started flexing their muscles even as the G-4 continued to lobby for its draft in bilateral and group meetings.

Pakistan and Italy led 'United for Consensus' group (UFC), nicknamed Coffee Club, held prolonged discussions at the Canadian mission in New York to chalk out strategy to counter G-4 efforts and took heart from the fact that China attended their meeting.

UFC has not been able to make much impact among the member states and is seeking China's help in an effort to derail the G-4 resolution.

Its diplomats said it is also closely watching how negotiations between African Union (AU) and G-4 go as without the support of substantial number of AU members, it would be difficult to get the requisite two-thirds majority as it has a strength of 53 in the 191-member General Assembly.

G-4 diplomats agree the support of AU is crucial and contend that they could get substantial number of the group's votes unless it decides to vote en bloc against the resolution, a possibility they do not envisage at present.

They also point out that there is not much difference on the position of G-4 and AU except on the question of veto. AU wants the new permanent members to have the veto right from the beginning but G-4 resolution accepts veto right in principle but defers its use for at least 15 years.