Saturday, July 16 2005 12:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: The resolution by India and three other countries seeking permanent seats in UN Security Council will be put to vote inspite of US opposition, but a final decision will be taken after tomorrow's (July 17, 2005) meeting of their foreign ministers with counterparts from Africa, diplomats have said.

"Absolutely," Indian UN Ambassador Nirupam Sen told reporters when asked if the G4 comprising India, Japan, Germany and Brazil would seek a vote despite strong opposition from the US on their proposals.

Talking to reporters yesterday (July 15, 2005) after the G-4's discussions with Nigerian Foreign Minister Oluyemi Adeniji, he was however non-committal on whether G-4 and the 53-member African Union (AU) plan to present a joint resolution, saying, "let's wait for Sunday's meeting."

But ambassadors expressed confidence that G-4 and AU would be able to reconcile their differences and reach an agreement. Differences remain between the two groups on veto right and African Union's demand for one extra seat in non-permanent category.

The G-4 and AU foreign ministers are due to discuss the issue at a working tomorrow. Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, who arrives here this evening, would leave for Washington to join Prime Minister Manmohan Singh immediately after the talks, expected last over three hours.

Meanwhile, the African Union plans to introduce Monday its resolution in the United Nations General Assembly, which seeks two permanent and two more non-permanent seats for Africa in an expanded Security Council.

The G-4 resolution provides for two permanent seats and one more non-permanent seats for the region.

Main difference is on veto

But the main difference is on veto. Africans demand it for new permanent members immediately.But the G-4 accept the principle, but are ready to defer its exercise by new permanent members for 15 years when the Assembly would revisit the issue.

Germany's UN Ambassador Gunter Pleuger said a decision on vote would be taken at tomorrow's meeting and asserted that there is a "good chance" of G-4 and Africans finding a common ground, which would also be acceptable to countries, which have cosponsored the G-4 draft.

Meanwhile, ambassadors of Pakistan and Italy-led 'Uniting for Consensus' (UFC) group launched a major bid to woo Africans and held a prolonged meting several of their counterparts from African Union.

Diplomats said that UFC explained to the AU ambassadors that their proposal, which calls for expansion of the Council in the non-permanent category only with the addition of ten new members, would be beneficial to AU as it would allow it to retain control over whom to select to represent them.

If it thought fit, it could go on re-electing the same State again and again. But if it thought that a particular State's performance is not good, AU could replace it at the next election.

UFC also told the Africans that the chances of their resolution being implemented are much higher than that of G-4 or what AU has proposed.

The AU ambassadors also explained their resolution and promised to convey the view of UFC to their foreign ministers.