United Nations, Sep 28 (IANS) British Foreign Minister David Milliband has told the UN General Assembly that his country supports a permanent seat for India on the Security Council as part of the larger reform of the organisation.
“International institutions need to reflect the world as it is not as it was,” Milliband told the General Assembly late Thursday, adding the UN had a duty to lead the world in addressing the shared threats and opportunities of this age.
“The UK therefore welcomes the prospect of inter-governmental negotiations this session to achieve agreement on reform of the Security Council,” he said.
“We support the permanent membership of Germany, Japan, India and Brazil and permanent representation from Africa. We are not wedded to a single model of reform. Achieving effective change is what matters.”
The foreign secretary said the UN must do its endeavour and said he admired the institution and its missions around the world – from Lebanon to Liberia and from Congo and Haiti to East Timor – that were saving lives and spreading hope.
Referring to what he termed as “extraordinary scenes” in Myanmar, he called upon the regime there to allow peaceful protests, encourage a national dialogue and promote genuine reconciliation.
“Let us send a message to the monks on the streets of Burma: We support your demand for a democratic Burma. And let us take a message from the monks on the streets of Burma: Human desire for freedom knows no bounds of race or religion or region.”