Thursday, August 18 2005 19:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tokyo: Japan is considering a new draft resolution for expansion of the United Nations Security Council and is expected to consult other G-4 members including India on it.

The draft will be presented in the UN General Assembly in September, in the hope of being adopted by the end of the year, Kyodo news agency, quoting government sources, reported today (August 18,2005).

The new document would possibly contain an element of concession to the African Union (AU). It would seek an extra non-permanent seat in the expansion plan, in an effort to gain support of the resolution from African nations, the sources said.

The move comes as chances for the General Assembly to adopt a framework resolution submitted by G-4 countries --Japan, Brazil, Germany and India -- aimed at expanding the Security Council membership, have become grim.

The prospects for the G-4's framework resolution to be adopted by the General Assembly hit a dark patch after the 53-member AU decided in early August not to pursue a joint proposal with the four nations.

The key to whether the new draft resolution is approved depends on the AU, the largest grouping in the United Nations, but the sources said it is difficult to estimate how many of the AU members would agree to supporting a new document.

The outcome of the general elections scheduled in Japan and Germany is also crucial for the smooth adoption of the new resolution.