ACCRA, Sept 8 : The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Saturday called for expansion of the United Nations' elite Security Council to put more power In Third World hands, reports Reuter.

A declaration after a four-day NAM foreign minister's conference in the Ghanaian capital Accra also endorsed political pluralism, giving official weight to the/multi party issue for the first time since the movement was founded three decades ago.

"The present membership of the Security Council should be reviewed with a view to reflecting the increased membership of the United Nations, and promoting more equitable and balance representation of the members of the United Nations," the declaration said.

"Reform of the organisation is of cardinal importance to member countries of the

movement."

The Security Council, which gives permanent status to the United States, the Soviet Union, China, Britain and France, holds a veto on decisions made by the world body's General Assembly.

The call reflected a shift in focus from East-West tensions to the Gulf between the rich North and poor South as the 103-member group strives for a role after the end of the Cold

War which inspired IL

Diplomatic sources said the move was proposed mainly by major Third World powers like India, Brazil and Indonesia, which hold great regional sway and want a bigger role on the world stage.

They want to be world powers and are very dissatisfied with the UN where, they are not permanent members of the Security Council," one Western diplomat said.

The declaration also hit out at double standards in implementing UN decisions.

"Had the international community, represented by the Security Council, applied the same criteria, the same political will and the same standards of international legitimacy as they did in the Gulf War. the question of Palestine could have been resolved," it said, calling for full implementation of all UN resolutions.

NAM, which opted not to change its name despite the end of the Cold War, applauded a. world groundswell towards multi-party reforms In what diplomats saw as a sign of growing moderation In a former bastion of anti-Western thought.

Noting the "wish of people all over the world for political pluralism," ft said non-aligned governments should sustain the trend "within the context of their cultural and human traditions and heritage."

Diplomats said the title of the main declaration. "A World In Transition: From Diminishing Confrontation Towards Increasing Cooperation.- showed NAM's

new resolve to increase dialogue with the rich world as well as between developing countries.

The movement, set up In 1961 to tread an independent path between two superpowers, has always been a major forum for articulating Third World concerns.

The report said political stability could not survive In conditions of poverty and vowed to strengthen International economic cooperation to aid growth in developing countries.

It also stressed the need for action on human rights, global disarmament, environmental protection and drug abuse.

Noting that most regional conflicts were found in the developing world as a legacy of colonialism and superpower rivaliy, NAM encouraged peaceful settlements in a range of trouble spots from Cyprus to Afghanistan.

It reaffirmed support for the Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule in the occupied territories and said sanctions should continue against South Africa to keep the Pretoria government at the negotiating table.

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