Annan says next UN chief should be Asian

Times of Oman ^ | 29/05/05

[Jakarta ex-pat]

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who retires next year, said Thursday the next chief of the world body should come from Asia.

The last UN Secretary General from Asia was U Thant who hailed from Myanmar -- then known as Burma -- and served as secretary general from 1961 to 1971.

"The secretary-general is elected on a rotational basis and next time it is Asia's turn," said Annan, who is from Ghana and whose stint as secretary general concludes at the end of 2006.

"I think a candidate has emerged from Thailand," Annan added.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai has declared his candidacy and has the backing of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Traditionally, the UNs top job rotates every 10 years by region.

Africa should have in theory handed over the post to Asia on January 1, 2002. But Annan was chosen for a second term in 2001, partly because Asia had difficulty agreeing on a candidate, giving Africa 15 years at the UN helm. –– AFP

[Americanexpat]

"Hmmm...I guess that shoots "Slick Willie" out of the water."

Not necessarily, if Hillery can say she has Jewish blood in her veins to when a seat in the Senate, then Bill can say one of his distant ancestors had chinese blood.

Besides, if the next leader of the UN is Thai who will probably have been born in the Golden triangle and have ties with the drug trade.

[layman]

Thailand is 95% Buddhist and about 4% Muslim. It is currently facing armed violence in its three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces. Surprise ... surprise! Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai might bring a perspective to the job pertinent to the present state of the world.

[dennisw]

Looks like a white guy can't get a table dance from the UN whores.

[Salman]

Actually it's time for the UN Sec Gen to be someone from the US ...

A citizen of a permanent member of the Security Counsel cannot be Sec. Gen. under the UN charter. Not any American, Brit, Frenchman, Chinese, or Russian.

And realistically, it won't be a Cuban or a North Korean. The real danger is it might be a Muslim.

[Chi-townChief]

"You may know it as Myanmar but it will always be Burma to me!"

[Jakarta ex-pat]

"The real danger is it might be a Muslim."

The real danger has nothing to do with religion, sex, or colour.

The real danger lies within.

The UN is the most insidiously “recognized” organization the world has ever known.

[JoeV1]

Annan says next UN chief should be Asian

BULLSH*T!!, the next UN chief should be CAPABLE & LEGITIMATE.

[Major_Risktaker]

Well Said, LOL!

President Clinton

UN SG Clinton

Unlikely...but it could happen.

[OrioleFan]

B Clinthant...