By Andrew Grice in Delhi
Gordon Brown has begun secret talks with
other world leaders on far-reaching reform
of the United Nations Security Council as
part of a drive to create a "new world order"
and "global society".
The Prime Minister is drawing up plans to
expand the number of permanent members
in a move that will provoke fears that the
veto enjoyed by Britain could be diluted
eventually. The United States, France,
Russia and China also have a veto but
the number of members could be doubled
to include India, Germany, Japan, Brazil
and one or two African nations.
Mr Brown has discussed a shake-up of a
structure created in 1945 to reflect the
world's new challenges and power bases
during his four-day trip to China and
India. Last night, British sources
revealed "intense discussions" on
UN reform were under way and Mr
Brown raised it whenever he met
another world leader.
The Prime Minister believes the UN is
punching below its weight. In 2003, it
failed to agree on a fresh resolution
giving explicit approval for military
action in Iraq. George Bush then acted
unilaterally, winning the support of
Tony Blair.
UN reform is highly sensitive and Britain
will not yet publish formal proposals for
fear of uniting opponents against them.
Mr Brown is trying to build a consensus
for change first.
His aides are adamant that the British
veto will not be negotiated away. One
option is for the nations who join not
to have a veto, at least initially. In a speech
in Delhi today, the Prime Minister will say:
"I support India's bid for a permanent
place – with others – on an expanded
UN Security Council." However, he is not
backing Pakistan's demand for a seat if
India wins one.
Mr Brown will unveil a proposal for the UN
to spend £100m a year on setting up a
"rapid reaction force" to stop "failed states
" sliding back into chaos after a peace deal
has been reached. Civilians such as police,
administrators, judges and lawyers would
work alongside military peace-keepers.
"There is limited value in military action
to end fighting if law and order does not
follow," he will say. "So we must do more
to ensure rapid reconstruction on the
ground once conflicts are over – and
combine traditional humanitarian aid
and peace-keeping with stabilisation,
recovery and development."
He will call for the World Bank to lead
the fight against climate change as well
as poverty in the developing world, and
argue that the International Monetary
Fund should prevent crises like the
credit crunch rather than just resolve
them.
Arriving in Delhi yesterday, Mr Brown said
he wanted a "partnership of equals"
between Britain and India as he called
for closer trade links and co-operation
against terrorism. He announced £825m
of aid over the next three years – £500m
of which will be spent on health and
education.
Mr Brown is to bring back honorary
knighthoods and other awards for
cricketers from Commonwealth
countries. He said: "Cricket is one
of the great things that bind the
Commonwealth together. It used to be
that great cricketers from the
Commonwealth would be recognised
by the British nation I would like to
see some of the great players in the
modern era honoured."
Read Andrew Grice
atindependent.co.uk/todayinpolitics
Security Council membership
The UN Security Council's membership
has remained virtually unchanged since
it first met in 1946.
Great Britain, the United States, the then
Soviet Union, China and France were
designated permanent members of the
UN's most powerful body.
Initially, six other countries were elected to
serve two-year spells on the council –
in 1946 they were Australia, Brazil, Egypt,
Mexico, the Netherlands and Poland.
The number of elected members, who are
chosen to cover all parts of the globe,
was increased to 10 in 1965. They are
currently Belgium, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Indonesia, Italy, Libya, Panama,
South Africa and Vietnam.
Decisions made by the council require nine
"yes" votes out of 15. Each permanent
member has a veto over resolutions.
The issue of UN reform has long been
on the agenda. One suggestion is that
permanent membership could be
expanded to 10 with India, Japan,
Germany, Brazil and South Africa
taking places. Any reform requires
128 nations, two-thirds, to support
it in the assembly.
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