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Australia may have to wait for U.N. seat

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Published: March. 2, 2008 at 8:25 PM

SYDNEY, March 2 (UPI) -- Australia reportedly must wait at least a decade to pursue a seat on the United Nations Security Council because of a previous administration's decision.

Australian representation on the U.N. panel is out of reach for now because of former Prime Minister John Howard's decision not to take a seat four years ago, and due to agreements with other countries, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Sunday.

Current Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's government is exploring a bid for one of the council's 10 non-permanent positions, however.

Australia, which is a founding member of the council, has sat on the body four times, the last time in 1985-86. It last tried to join the panel in 1996 but failed, the newspaper reported.

Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told the newspaper it would have cost $35 million to lobby for another two-year term beginning in 2008.

"I was very keen to run," Downer said. "It was always my view that Australia was a significant country that should, from time to time, be on the Security Council."

Topics: Alexander Downer
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