A clash of interests among major U.N. member states is clouding the prospects for reform of the Security Council. While Japan, Brazil, Germany and India, known as the Group of Four (G4), seek permanent membership on the council, the Uniting for Consensus coalition, including Italy, South Korea and Pakistan, is pushing its own proposal. The United States favors minimal expansion of the council.
In his report in March, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan recommended reaching an agreement before a special U.N. summit in September. Expanding the Security Council requires a U.N. Charter revision that must be approved by two-thirds of all member states. Ironing out differences among 191 members in just three months will be difficult.
As things stand now, it looks as though Annan's recommendations for U.N. reform will end up as "pie in the sky." If no substantive agreement is reached, hopes for a revamped U.N. will be dashed for the time being, creating more mistrust in the world body.