Brazil, Germany, India and Japan dropped their demand Wednesday for veto power for new permanent members in an expanded U.N. Security Council. The so-called Group of Four, who have been campaigning vigorously to become members of the U.N.'s most powerful body, were forced to back down because of opposition from a number of countries. The group has circulated a resolution that would increase the Security Council from 15 to 25 members, including six new permanent seats — with four hopefully going to them and the other two to African nations. But Wednesday's revised draft would delay consideration of a veto for the new permanent members for 15 years.