81.  It would allow the Security Council to block investigations, a step requiring the assent of all five permanent members.

82.  Italy strongly opposes the plan because it does not want to see Germany become a permanent member unless it becomes one, too.

83.  It is, however, the only one of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to currently enjoy close ties to Belgrade.

84.  Japan contributes billions of dollars every year to international relief operations, strengthening its claim for a seat as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

85.  Japan made a counter-proposal in March that would set different levels for contributions from permanent members of the Security Council and for contributions from all other nations.

86.  Like all permanent members of the Security Council, the United States pays a surcharge because of concessions for developing nations.

87.  Labor backbencher George Galloway opposed the bombing and said Britain and the United States were alone among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in supporting it.

88.  Lemaitre and Ms. Kupferberg are permanent members of the company.

89.  No other permanent member now takes that position.

90.  Of the permanent Security Council members, only Britain was standing squarely behind the United States.