"Am I therefore become your enemy,because I TELL YOU THE TRUTH...?"
(Galatians 4:16)

Iran Seeks U.N. Security Council Seat

UNITED NATIONS-Iran, under U.N. Security Council sanctions over its nuclear program, will seek a seat on the council in an election this week that will pit it in a probably hopeless contest against Japan.The 192-member U.N. General Assembly will stage its annual elections on Friday for five of the 10 nonpermanent seats on the 15-nation council, the powerhouse of the United Nations with the ability to impose sanctions and dispatch peacekeepers. Winners serve a two-year term starting on January 1.Apart from the Iranian-Japanese standoff for an Asian seat, a complex battle has shaped up between Muslim Turkey, politically controversial Austria and financially struggling Iceland for two European seats that will fall vacant.The two other seats are virtually certain to go to Mexico and Uganda, which are standing unopposed by other nations in their regional groupings. The five outgoing countries are Belgium, Indonesia, Italy, Panama and South Africa.Few expect Iran to defeat heavyweight Japan, which has served nine previous terms on the council and is a prime contender for a permanent seat should the world's nations manage to agree on a way to expand the council.The existing permanent and veto-holding members are the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China.Diplomats say Japan is looking for victory in the first ballot. Western countries strongly oppose Iran's pursuit of uranium enrichment, most Arab states do not want Iran on the council and African countries mainly agree.It is doubtful that even Iran expects to win. "The Iranian ambassador came to see me to ask for our vote in the election," said one Western envoy. "I don't know who had more difficulty keeping a straight face-him or me."
To read more go to:
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49B25920081012
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