Italy has lashed out at Germany's bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat, saying it risks dividing Europe. Germany insists Europe would lose out if it were the only region not to have a new representative on an enlarged council. Under a proposed reform, Germany, Brazil, India and Japan are seeking additional permanent seats for themselves and one African nation. Permanent members France and Britain back the plan, but Italy opposes it. "I will not accept competition based around national interests. That risks dividing Europe," Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in interviews to two Italian daily newspapers, published on Sunday. "In a month we will be signing the new European constitution in Rome which envisages the creation of a European Union foreign minister," he is quoted as saying. "With its request, Germany is going against the ideal for which we have all been working." The drive to reform the council was launched by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, after its failure to reach agreement over Iraq last year.
| Who wants to stack the deck against the U.S. |
| Oh, yeah. Adding lotsa new members, each with a veto, is a great way to make the Security Council more responsive. And since I've gotta lose a few pounds, I think I'll have an entire cocoanut cream pie for lunch. |
Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan this week called for new permanent seats for themselves and Africa, saying the plan would boost the legitimacy of the UN.
| Lips then fell off their respective diplomats. |
Italy's Foreign Minister earlier voiced his country's opposition saying he did not believe the council's difficulties could be resolved through new permanent, irrevocable appointments and adding that Arab nations might feel excluded.
| If they're included, I suggest we exclude ourselves, immediately... |
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