Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday expressed opposition to a U.N. reform that would increase the number of permanent Security Council seats. A statement from Berlusconi's office issued after the two leaders met Wednesday said they also had discussed efforts against terrorism in Afghanistan and the situation in Iraq. Reforms being considered at the United Nations include the possible enlargement of the five-member Security Council, whose members have veto power. Pakistan's neighbor and rival India is pressing for a permanent seat, along with Germany, Brazil and Japan. The five permanent Council members are Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. Italy, which is pushing for the creation of a five-year rotating European seat without any veto power, fears that an expanded Security Council including Germany would see Italy's influence diminish when Europe has its say on major issues.
