Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 217 Sun. January 02, 2005  
   
International


5 new countries join UNSC


Five countries, including Japan and Denmark, on Saturday joined the 15-member United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members for a two-year-term, replacing Pakistan and four other nations.

Japan, Argentina, Denmark, Greece and Tanzania replace Pakistan, Angola, Chile, Germany and Spain, which retired after completing their two-year term on December 31, 2004.

The Council has five permanent members the United States, Britain, Russia, France and China and ten non-permanent members, five of whom retire each year.

The General Assembly elects the non-permanent members on regional basis.

Under the UN Charter, a country is not allowed to seek re-election immediately after completing its term.