Britain has tabled proposals for a United Nations rapid-reaction force, as well as plans to give Germany and Japan permanent seats on an expanded UN Security Council. The proposals will be presented to the UN's Millennium Summit, which opens in New York today. A constant criticism of UN missions in the past has been that they need to be pieced together for each operation, take too long to set up and often become embroiled in arguments about mandates. Ever since its humiliation in Somalia in 1993 and bitter argument over Bosnia two years later, Washington has been reluctant to take part in UN operations. There should also be a permanent slot for one representative each from Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Sceptics point to potential problems.
South Asian rivals India and Pakistan, for example, would do everything possible to block permanent status for the other. In addition, the proposals call for a further four non-permanent members, making a total of 24 council members. Non-permanent members are elected annually. All members have an equal vote, but permanent members also have a right of veto. The review of peacekeeping bills, which has to be conducted through a committee of member nations, would be intended to help put the faltering and cash-strapped peacekeeping department on a firmer financial footing.