New York - During a speech at the UN General Assembly yesterday, British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said that Brazil should be a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Straw went on to say that the council should be reformed, with membership expanded from the present 15 members to 24. Among the new members, said Straw, should be Brazil, Germany, Japan and India. This is the first time an official of the British government expresses support for a Brazilian seat on the council.

In his remarks, Straw said the council continues to reflect the world after World War II and that important nations such as Japan and Germany should now be allowed to join the council because of their economic importance. India, he said, should be on the council because it has one-sixth of the world's population.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Relations reports that France has also publicly come out in support of a permanent seat for Brazil.

On Tuesday, Japan, Germany, Brazil and India joined together to form the G-4 and mutually support each other in the quest for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Paula Menna Barreto
Translator: Allen Bennett
09/24/2004