‘UN reform deal reachable by Sept’

* Annan implores Asia-African leaders to back reforms

JAKARTA: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Saturday he believed general agreement on sweeping reforms of the United Nations could be reached by September, when world leaders meet in New York for a summit. “I have suggested to the member states that they try and reach agreement by September when the heads of state come to New York to take decisions. I think it is possible and I hope they will aim to do it,” Annan told a news conference on the second day of a summit meeting of Asian and African nations in Jakarta.

The United Nations will hold a summit on development, security and human rights in September.

Annan said he did not believe any of the five permanent members of the Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom - would veto proposals to expand the council if there was common agreement to do so. “If there were to be broad consensus...I think it would be difficult for a permanent member to veto the proposal,” said Annan, who on Friday made an impassioned plea for Asian and African leaders to be ready to compromise on his proposals.

Implores leaders: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan made an impassioned plea on Friday for Asian and African leaders to show boldness and be ready to compromise on his historic proposals to reform the United Nations. Addressing leaders from 100 countries that make up three quarters of the world’s population, Annan said he wanted to make 2005 a turning point for the poor and the United Nations.

He urged presidents, prime ministers and kings meeting in the Indonesian capital Jakarta to come to New York in September and adopt his proposals at a UN summit on development, security and human rights. reuters

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