G4's Quest Is Over

Via New York Times, German Chancellor Schroeder Rejects Military Force to Stop Iran's Nuclear Work.

This came in response to this report: `All options on table,' as Bush warns Iran on nuclear program. [Link courtesy: Chicago Tribune]

While Chancellor's Schroeder's comments came as part of his re-election campaign -- to woo an electorate deeply suspicious of the Iraq war -- it also signals clearly that Germany will not get US assent for Security Council membership. The Chancellor would not have risked UNSC membership -- his legacy in history -- for scoring a cheap political point.

This implies that the G4 effort is effectively dead. Hardly a surprise.