UNITED NATIONS, Aug 31 (AFP) [Condensed]- The Security Council, which UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has urged member states to reform "without delay," Annan's recommendation came in April in a bid to set the agenda for the three-day summit starting on September 6. "One critical area" was reform of the Security Council."

Some of the 150 heads of state and government attending ..But the council itself, and its five permanent members in particular, have underscored their centrality to the work of the world body by scheduling meetings of their own. .. Mali, is ..expected to pass a resolution endorsing a new report calling for radical reforms of the UN's methods of peacekeeping.

One permanent council member observed that a resolution requires a vote, and that the session would be "more photogenic if 15 heads of state or government raise their hands."

Mali, one of the 10 non-permanent members elected for two years by regional blocs in the General Assembly, holds the rotating presidency of the council for September... British Prime Minister Tony Blair and presidents Jiang Zemin of China, Jacques Chirac of France, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Bill Clinton of the United States will represent states with permanent seats and the power to veto council decisions.

In his report, Annan recalled that these were the powers which emerged victorious from World War II .. The P-5, as they are known in diplomatic jargon, have nevertheless decided to hold a session of their own, behind closed doors.

Among proposals being informally discussed by council members is one to increase the membership to 24, with five of the nine new seats being held permanently by a country from each region.. Council reform was the only recommendation in Annan's report which would entail changing the UN Charter. [Agence France-Presse ]

 

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