Africa gets UN boost from Chirac

Paris - French President Jacques Chirac on Monday reiterated his support for an overhaul of the UN Security Council, insisting after talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki that Africa should have more of a say.

"It's up to our African partners to define their priorities," Chirac told a joint press conference with Mbeki at the start of the South African leader's three-day state visit to France.

"But it's clear that in one way or another, Africa must be better represented on the Security Council, among the permanent and non-permanent members," the French president added.

Chirac voiced his support for the eventual enlargement of the UN body, voicing support for Germany and Japan to become permanent veto-wielding members.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=68&art_id=iol1069137304381M120&set_id=1

I am not really all for Germany to be in the Security Council. I feel that the UN Security Council already has enough European representation.

However, I would be open to allowing South Africa, Brazil, and Australia serving on the council. Japan? I guess. But they don't really have a able bodied military.

You've a point with the European votes - no doubt about it.

Then again: Japan and Germany are placed 2nd and 3rd when it comes to paying for the UN. Especially Japan pays almost as much as the US - yet only the US is allowed to make the "We pay for it, so it's ours!" argument? :shrug: