Ban cements lead in UN race

2006-10-03 09:14

Seoul - South Korea's foreign minister, the clear favourite to become the next UN secretary-general, vowed on Tuesday to pursue crucial reforms of the world body if elected, and seek a peaceful resolution to North Korea's nuclear standoff.

Ban Ki-moon, 62, cemented his position to succeed Kofi Annan after an informal poll on Monday by the 15 UN security council members showed 14, including the five veto-wielding members, voted in favour of Ban. He received one "no opinion" ballot cast by one of the 10 rotating members.

Ban was the only one to escape a veto, while each of the five other candidates received at least one no vote from the five permanent members of the council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

Honour, responsibility

"I am deeply grateful for the trust and support the security council nations have shown to me. For me, personally, it is a great honour," Ban told South Korean reporters on Tuesday.

"At the same, I feel a great responsibility since the UN has many roles to play for peace and security of the international community as well as human rights protection and development."

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday congratulated Ban "for the good results," Roh's office said. During a five-minute telephone conversation, Roh encouraged Ban to "do his best throughout the remaining procedures".

Formal vote on October 9

China's UN ambassador Wang Guangya said that it is "quite clear" that the security council will recommend Ban to the general assembly for approval. A formal security council vote is set for October 9.

UN undersecretary-general Shashi Tharoor of India, the biggest known threat to Ban's campaign for the top UN post, dropped out of the race after Monday's informal poll - the fourth of its kind - showed Ban was the clear winner.

Reform

In Seoul, Ban said that if elected he would push for reform of the United Nations, which has been criticised for its ineffectiveness in dealing with global issues.

"There have been many changes around the world during the past 60 years ... various threats that we have not experienced in the past," Ban said.

"So it is true that there have been doubts and criticism over whether the UN has responded appropriately and effectively."

"The UN has a great task to exercise a more positive, efficient and effective leadership to manage well the challenges and tasks of the 21st century through reform," he said.

"If I become the secretary-general, I will exert greatest efforts for this through close co-operation with the UN member countries."

He also pledged to help resolve the international standoff over North Korea's nuclear programme, saying he would use his expertise in dealing with the communist nation "to give a boost to issues concerning peace and security of the Korean Peninsula".

- AP