The Security Council consists of 15 members, 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent. The U.S.A., U.K., U.S.S.R., China and France are the permanent members. The ten non permanent members are elected by the Assembly for two years’ term (five every alternate year). Retiring members are not eligible for imme­diate re-election.

The Security Council is the most important body in the U.N.O. Inside the Security Council effective influence is wielded by the permanent members. The concurrence of permanent members is necessary for all vital decisions of the Security Council affecting international peace and security.

Functions:

(a) The Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international security. It recommends to the member states appropriate methods for adjustment of disputes likely to endanger world peace.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(b) It can lake any measure necessary to maintain or restore interna­tional peace.

It can take diplomatic, economic and even military action, if a certain state is not prepared to accept its decisions. The Security Council may call upon some or all members to make available the forces and other facilities, or assistance to meet an emergency.

INTERNATIONALISM

(c) The admission of new states to the Organization and the expul­sion there from can only be done on the recommendation of the Security Council.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(d) It shares with the General Assembly the function of electing judges to the International Court of Justice and right to request the Court for advisory opinion on legal matters. It recommends to the General Assembly the name of a person to be appointed as Secretary-General.