Klaus backs Czech bid for UN Security Council

The president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, has backed the country's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2008. Speaking at a UN general meeting in New York on Wednesday, Mr Klaus described the Czech Republic as "a reliable, mainstream and stable" country which was very actively involved in various UN missions. The president also alluded to the harmonious split of Czechoslovakia in 1993 as proof of the Czechs' commitment to finding non-violent solutions to conflicts. The Czech Republic is expected to compete with Croatia for a two-year stint on the council once current incumbent Slovakia's mandate expires at the end of this year. The vote is due to be held on October 16.

Speaking at the same meeting, Mr Klaus said he was also in favour of modernising the UN but warned against any measures that would increase the organisation's ability to act and intervene in conflicts and disputes at the expense of what he called a "plurality of opinions".