First Report—Second Report

Japanese PM Koizumi and Indian PM Singh met last week to sign a statement of cooperation in economic and security ties. Things are looking bright for India—Chile, Romania, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan have all come out in favor of India’s candidacy. Comparatively, Japan is faring poorly. The Dutch now oppose Japan’s UNSC bid, China hints it might join them, while the US tells China to lay off Japan, and Finland says it will support Japan. The only major player that backs Japan but not India is the United States, although India is lobbying hard to change that. Canada also opposes all four candidates, putting one big red blog on both maps. Younghusband, any insight as a native of the north?

Also, there was an old story brought to my attention where Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said Islamabad might back Japan but not India. And in a recent dispatch from Japan’s Foreign Ministry, there was also hints that Pakistan could back Japan. So Pakistan has been put back into the neutral category in its stance towards Japan, at least for now.

Kofi Annan has also been throwing his weight about. He recently said the current status of just five permanent members was unacceptable, but said new members should not expect a veto. The Pakistan-Korea-Argentina-Italy-Mexico group has proposed two alternative plans that would create a secondary layer of rotating non-permanent members.

This is history in the making. I can’t wait until Africa starts to decide who they’ll support.

And although North Korea has already confirmed that they oppose Japan, the KCNA recently issued this report. I hope South Korea is proud that they’re on board with these guys.

Japan Well Advised Not to Even Dream of Sitting on UNSC
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA)—The Japanese ruling quarters including the chief executive set a goal of winning permanent membership of the UN Security Council this year and are very busy with a diplomatic offensive to attain it. In this regard Rodong Sinmun Monday in a signed commentary advises Japan not to even dream of sitting on the UNSC.

What is ridiculous is that Japan regards it as a settled matter to become a permanent member of the UNSC under the pretext of its “financial contribution” to the United Nations. Japan, however, is not qualified to sit on the SC. Japan has neither honestly reflected on the most hideous crimes the Japanese imperialists committed against humanity in the last century nor settled them though nearly 60 years have passed since their defeat. On the contrary, it is more rapidly veering to the Right and heading for militarism.

By sitting on the SC the Japanese reactionaries seek to behave as a political power by abusing its authority and realize its wild ambition to dominate Asia and conquer the world, which they failed to do so in the past. To allow Japan to become a permanent member of the SC is as dangerous a move as splitting the UN and inviting a new militarist war to the international arena. For this reason, many countries of the world including Asian countries are strongly opposed to Japan’s bid for permanent membership of the SC.

It is quite ridiculous and laughable for Japan to go hectic with shuttle entreaty and bribing diplomacy in a bid to realize its militarist ambition and hold a responsible position at the UN, swimming against the trend of the world. Japan can never win the trust of the international community as long as it is seeking militarization and overseas expansion without redeeming its past crimes.

Thanks to Nathan for the heads up about Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

• BROWSE / IN TIMELINE
• « Uzbekistan Updates
• » That struggle ancién