*On December 13, 1996, Annan was selected by the United Nations Security Council to be Secretary-General and was confirmed four days later by the General Assembly. Annan took the oath of office without delay, starting his first term as Secretary-General on January 1, 1997. Annan replaced outgoing Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt, becoming the first person from a black African nation [Ghana] to become Secretary-General.
Annan’s Secretary-Generalship was renewed on January 1, 2002, an unusual deviation from informal policy. The office usually rotates around the continents, with two terms each; since Annan’s predecessor Ghali was also an African (he was Egyptian), normally Annan would have only served one term. However, in this case Annan was able to secure reappointment. Annan can remain in office until December 31, 2006.*
So it almost certainly won’t be another African. It won’t be an American (sorry, Mr. Clinton), for the same reason there will probably never be an American Pope. We’re the sole superpower already; that’s enough. Are there any up-and-coming diplomats or leaders who would be well-suited to lead the UN? Anyone you think should get the job?
The next SG is supposed to be from Asia by convention so Maleeha Lodhi of Pakistan is a possible choice (she’s also from an Islamic country). If tradition is broken and a European is chosen then; Gro Harlem Brundtland of Norway, Tarja Halonen of Finland, and Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga of Latvia and Canada are possibilities. The next SG won’t be American, Russian, Chinese, British or French either.
It’s like the Nobel prize for litterature. It’s going to go to some country or continent that hasn’t had the post for a while. So my money is on an Asian woman. Probably from some “harmless” country (a country that few other countries would feel threatened by). Now where would that be?
And c’mon, nobody’s going to let Tony Blair run a blooming bath, let alone the United Nations. Politically, he’s dead, although he’ll get a cushy position in a big company if he has any inclination to do so.
I think Kofi’s great, he’s one of very few politicians who’s not afraid to speak his mind and isn’t an errand boy for anybody. He’s kind of the conscience of the world and has everybody’s sympathy but no real influence. Personally I think it’s far too soon to get the UN dekofinated - it’s not like he’s going to turn into a power-crazy dictator if he should stay for another term - but rules are rules (or rather, informal conventions are just that).
Yep. Kofi is great. Among his many accomplishments can be listed:
Having the largest scam in the history of mankind go on right under his nose.
Twiddling his thumbs while the worst genocide since WWII passed by. And apparently having a repeat now in Sudan.
Failing to restructure the UN to a better and less corrupt organisation.
I vote for Boris Yeltsin. He’ll be just as useless. But at least he’ll be fun to watch. And the only bribe he’ll take is vodka. Much cheaper for everybody.
