Jay

United Nations, July. 28 (PTI): Japan, the second largest contributor to the UN, has warned that it would face intense domestic pressure to cut its grant to the world body if it fails to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Japan along with India, Germany and Brazil is bidding for a permanent seat in an expanded Security Council. Though under pressure from various groups in the country, the Japanese Government has not yet decided what to do if its bid for the Council fails, its Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, told reporters here yesterday.

He recalled a recent town hall meeting in Japan where a speaker had said that Tokyo should reduce its contribution if it is unable to win the permanent seat.

If Japan is not able to become a permanent member, Machimura said, "that kind of thinking will rapidly proliferate. That is something I can easily anticipate. But the Japanese Government has not yet made any decision of what may transpire. We believe we can be permanent members of the Security Council."

Asked whether it was an implied threat to cut the contribution, he repeated the same answer. Japan contributes 17 per cent of the world body's 1.2 billion dollar annual budget and is the second largest contributor after the United States which pays 22 per cent. Besides, Tokyo also contributes to various UN agencies.

Rejecting the allegation made by Italy that G-4 were using "unethical" methods and putting financial pressure on member States to force them to vote for their resolution, he said it is just a "negative" campaigning.

Machimura indicated that G-4 would await the outcome of the 53-member African Union Summit, scheduled for August 4 in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, which would consider the compromise resolution in the light of discussions the foreign ministers of G-4 and AU had in London last Sunday.

Agreeing that the support of the 53-member African Union is essential for the G-4 resolution to get two-thirds majority, he, however, declined to go into number of the countries on whose support G-4 can definitely count.

African diplomats admit the Summit would have an uphill task to reconcile differences with Nigeria pressing for a compromise and Algeria and some other members showing reservations. Some diplomats at UN, who play number games, say G-4 would need the support of around 40 African nations to get to the coveted two-thirds figure.

Machimura did not think that China would block the G-4 getting permanent membership if they are able to get two-thirds majority thrice in the General Assembly - one on framework resolution which is to be voted now, then on election of permanent members and lastly on a resolution calling for the amendment to the Charter to give effect to the General Assembly decision on expansion of the Council.

The amendment is to be ratified by two-thirds member states, including five permanent members and it is at that stage that the United States, Britain, Russia, France and China would have veto.

But the Japanese Foreign Minister said he does not think Beijing would hold up the ratification as the expansion is meant to give voice to the developing nations.

Answering another question, he said the Japanese aid to Africa is not linked to the recipients supporting the G-4 resolution.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus...0507281013.htm

Hmm, it doesnt really look good. It looks like Japan is Blackmailing all the member nations for UNSC seat, but they do have a point. If they dont have a say in UN's top body, why bother to fund them?? Works both ways.

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A grain of wheat eclipsed the sun of Adam !!

Hari_Om

This is going to upset the Italian's who are already a bit worked up with the Germans using aid as a tool for a UN seat no end.

The fundamental reality is that he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Countries that are happy in taking Japanese aid better start convincing themselves that there are at the end of the day no free lunches.

Leader

"Hmm, it doesnt really look good."

Looks good to me. Either way this plays out brings us one step closer to the day when everyone realizes that the UN is as useless as it is.

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Asim Aquil

Hahahahaha now they're buying their seat? Wasn't aid supposed to AID PEOPLE!?

Anyway they'll never pull their aid out, its already being used as a convincing tool by them. All these lil fellows who support them will be pissed and then that'd ruin their chances further.

Jay

AU has a membership of 53 nations, and G$ needs 120 odd seats to win