1. a) What is the purpose of the U.N. Security Council?
b) How many of the 192 U.N. member countries have seats on the Security Council?  List the countries.
c) How does a country get a seat on the Security Council?

2.  Which
countries currently support Venezuela's bid to get a seat on the
Council?  For what reasons do they support Venezuela? (para. 11, 23-25)

3.  Which countries support the other candidate from the region - Guatemala?  Why? (para. 7, 9-10)

4.  What is Venezuelan President Chavez saying and doing to gain the support of Arab countries?

5.  Do you think that electing Venezuela to the Security Council will help the U.N. to further its purpose?  Explain your answer.

6.  How do you think Venezuela's election would affect the U.S. and our allies?

NOTE: The money the U.S. gives to the U.N. for dues is approximately 22% of the total given by all 192 member countries.