Global Policy Forum

By Masood Haider

Pakistan called on Friday for the expansion of the non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council and the elimination of veto powers of the permanent members.

Speaking at the General Assembly on the question of equitable representation on and an increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the council, Pakistan's Ambassador Shamshad Ahmad Khan said the very concept of permanent membership with special power and privilege was anachronistic. "Any reform of the Council must strengthen the inclusive and participatory character of the organization in keeping with the principle of sovereign equality of states and must be aimed at reducing not accentuating the anomalies of the past. We must learn from history and not repeat it. There is no justification for the creation of new centers of privilege at the cost and expense of the rest of the membership", he said.

Mr Khan said: "On the question of enlargement, there is no dissenting voice that there should be an increase in the number of non-permanent members". He added that "unfortunately, a decision in this regard is being held hostage by a small minority who seek to promote their narrow national ambitions. As a result, the vast majority of the membership continues to be denied their right to have greater possibilities to participate in and contribute to the work of the Security Council. Reference has been made to the secretary-general's remarks that a small minority is holding back progress on the reform of the council. Indeed, we agree with his assessment for it is the few pretenders to power that have blocked any movement forward unless and until their ambitions are met."

Strongly opposing any move to expand the permanent seats in the council. Pakistan's envoy said that the so-called aspirants "to the permanent seats have employed a variety of arguments to justify their national desire to acquire an exalted status on the council and to join the present oligarchy which is an anachronistic remnant of World War II. "We are being asked to accept the notion by these pretenders and their small group of supporters that permanent membership is available to the highest bidder. Let us not forget that the reform of the Council is not an auction. That occurs elsewhere in Manhattan at Sotheby's or Christie's," he stressed.