India And The World

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Thaksin Blows Chance of UN top Job

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ill-considered remarks by Thailand’s Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may have compromised his chances of becoming the next secretary-general of the United Nations, Western diplomatic sources stated to Arab News yesterday.

Last month the five veto-holding members of the Security Council who must choose the next UN secretary-general appeared to be moving toward a consensus on Thaksin’s candidacy. Initially proposed by the United States as a suitable successor to Kofi Annan, whose second and final term ends next year, Thaksin won support from both Britain and China, with Russia and France appearing amenable if not enthusiastic.

By tradition, the secretary-general’s post rotates among the five continents. Next year it would be the turn of the Asian continent to nominate the secretary-general.

Whoever gets the post would have a good chance of leading the UN for two successive terms of five-years each.

<b>Doubts about the suitability of Thaksin came after he made a series of remarks, including a statement to the Parliament in Bangkok, about 78 Muslims who were suffocated to death while in police custody last week. Thaksin refused to apologize or organize an independent enquiry. He claimed that the Muslims had died because they had become “weakened by fasting during Ramadan”. He said some of the detainees were under the influence of drugs when they died. The remarks that have shocked the Thai Muslim community, some eight million people, and the Muslim world beyond, are seen by many as an indication that Thaksin lacks the good sense and tact needed for the UN job.</b>

One thing is certain: Thaksin’s nomination would anger a majority of the world’s 57 predominantly Muslim countries, more than a quarter of the UN’s total membership.

<b>If Thaksin is out of the race a number of other Asian political figures may be considered for the post. France and Britain are likely to back the candidacy of Benazir Bhutto, the former Pakistani prime minister. Also under consideration is Indonesia’s former President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

If it all comes down to a ladies’ race, India may well nominate Sonia Gandhi while Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the Philippines’ President Gloria Arroyo Macapagal may also be persuaded to run.</b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

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