The United States will support reasonable proposals for modest expansion of the Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, but remains opposed to any expansion or alteration of the veto use, according to U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Michele J. Sison.
”We recognize that for reform to be successful our decisions must enjoy the broadest possible consensus. In order to achieve this, the United States will support reasonable proposals for modest expansion of the Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. Any consideration of which countries merit future permanent membership must take into account their ability and willingness to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, and to their ability to exercise the heavy responsibilities that come with Security Council membership. We remain opposed to any expansion or alteration of the veto,” she said at a UN Security Council Briefing on Healthcare in Armed Conflict.
In turn, Moscow has also recognized the need to expand the Security Council. According to Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov, the total number of Board members should not significantly exceed 20 states, United Nations Radio reported.
”Any ideas leading to the infringement of the prerogatives of the current permanent members of the Security Council, including the right of veto, are unacceptable for us,” Safronkov said at a meeting of the General Assembly on UN reform.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the UN human rights chief, Zeid Ra`ad al-Hussein, on October 4 called for initiatives such as preventing UN Security Council`s permanent members from vetoing council resolutions to help prevent severe crimes.
He says the Security Council should adopt rules to limit veto use in cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.
