Ban for second term

18 June 2011 03:45 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Security Council unanimously recommended on Friday that Ban Ki-moon be re-elected as U.N. secretary-general, virtually assuring the South Korean diplomat of five more years in the top U.N. job.

The 192-nation General Assembly is planning to meet on Tuesday to formally reappoint Ban, 67, to a second term of office beginning on January 1, diplomats said.

The council decision, originally planned for Thursday, was delayed for one day because one of the U.N. regional groups -- Latin America and the Caribbean -- had not agreed to endorse Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister.

Diplomats said the group had still not achieved consensus by Friday morning, but the council went ahead with its recommendation. Endorsement by regional groups is considered desirable but is not technically necessary.

"The Security Council ... recommends to the General Assembly that Mr. Ban Ki-moon be appointed secretary-general of the United Nations for a second term," said a resolution adopted without a vote by the 15-nation council.

Ban's re-election is a virtual certainty after the Security Council recommendation, which followed agreement by its five permanent members that they wanted him to continue in office. No other candidates have been put forward.

In a statement in Brazil, where he was on a visit on Friday, Ban said he was "deeply honored" by the council's vote. "I am proud of all we have done together, even as I am aware of formidable challenges ahead," he said.

At a news conference in Brasilia, Ban pledged, if confirmed for a second term, to broadly continue an agenda of sustainable development, climate change, women's empowerment, nuclear disarmament and strengthening U.N. humanitarian aid capacity.

"This needs strong support from member states. The secretary-general is just one person," he said.

UNWRITTEN RULE

Under an unwritten U.N. rule, the job of secretary-general rotates between the world's regions and may not be held by a citizen of one of the five permanent Security Council members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

It is normal for an incumbent to serve two five-year terms, although Egypt's Boutros Boutros-Ghali was ousted after one term in 1996 by the United States, which felt he had performed poorly over the war in Bosnia.

U.N. diplomats see Ban, noted for his self-deprecating manner and imperfect command of English, as a tireless worker and inveterate globe-trotter, but say his tenure so far has a mixed record on the issues he has championed.

Global U.N.-led negotiations on climate change have made little progress, and the U.N. role in combating world poverty has been challenged by the rise of the Group of 20 nations.

Years of U.N. mediation in conflicts from Cyprus to Western Sahara have produced no result so far. But Ban won a success in Ivory Coast this year with a firm U.N. line on election results that led to the ouster of Laurent Gbagbo, who had clung to the presidency despite world agreement that he had lost the vote.

Ban has also won praise for his encouragement of the "Arab Spring" of pro-democracy movements that has swept the Middle East and North Africa, and his personal exhortations to the region's autocratic rulers not to use force against protests.

Analysts say Ban has proved adept at staying on good terms with important countries and -- unlike some of his predecessors -- has been particularly sensitive to the wishes of the United States, which hosts U.N. headquarters in New York.

That fact has led to some grumbling by left-wing governments in Latin America and elsewhere. Western diplomats said Cuba and some other Latin American countries were behind the delay in their group's endorsement of Ban, although Havana's U.N. mission denied it was responsible.

Ban had a brief run-in with Russia in 2008 over actions seen as backing Kosovo independence, strongly opposed by Moscow. Some Russian officials threatened Moscow might veto his second term, but the row quickly passed. (Reuters)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 20

Nimal Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:58 AM

Congratulation..........sorry Gota.

Steven Miller Sunday, 19 June 2011 03:00 AM

Joseph, you are such as fool. You can't see why majority f the world have endorsed their votes for him.

pereraa Saturday, 18 June 2011 07:22 PM

probably contemplating another (NOT) unto death fast.

tilak Saturday, 18 June 2011 03:34 PM

According to his past performance Moon not only UN secretary but also USA Foreign secretary.

modaya Saturday, 18 June 2011 10:52 AM

WE MUST BAN FOR SECOND TERM

chooty baba Saturday, 18 June 2011 07:15 AM

Amen To This..:)

I Hussein Saturday, 18 June 2011 05:39 AM

I am sure busy preparing an outdated bankrupt fake patriotic speech. Nevertheless there are many dumbs here to cheer him other con artists up, though.

Amal Perera Saturday, 18 June 2011 05:25 AM

Let's prepare for the worse and more troubles...!!!

Konde Bendapuchhena Saturday, 18 June 2011 05:06 AM

Aiiyo,Eppa wenawa appa

Nicky Karunarathna Saturday, 18 June 2011 05:08 AM

Now expect more wars, more conflicts, more turmoil, more accusations and more damn lies, more deceptions, more joker panels etc etc and what not? This world is most dangerous place for the innocents, peace-loving and pacific and tolarents to live under this guy who act like three wise monkies - who see, hear and talk, no evil of murderous US and West and UN. Corrupt people and corrupt world and corrupt organizations need most corrupt guy to lead them. This man who cannot even properly talk or stand straight - what can you expect from him next five years?

Bumba Saturday, 18 June 2011 03:49 AM

Good luck Sir. All the best, Long live democracy and human rights, the greatest asset on earth.

TAMILS Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:40 AM

WE WELL COME MOON NEXT FIVE MORE YEARS .

kenny_fdo Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:37 AM

Where are the people who wanted a new UN?

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:40 AM

After all the bravado and heroic talks on local platforms to please the gallery, the so called super patriots finally went silent when the SG was about to be given another term. Wonder what happened to the proposal to form an "alternative UN".

JUNIOR CITIZEN Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:33 AM

Congrats, now that there is no threat from the west, being the last term do an honest job without stooping to US and EU

Prof Wickramatillake Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:17 AM

Where is our Wimal Weeraya? Hiding?

RAJIV Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:16 AM

Excellent. All the best Mr. Moon. See you soon in action.

Dr.Wimal_Modawansa Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:03 AM

Well done Sri Lanka,Keep up the good "U" turn job.

Yehiya- Doha Saturday, 18 June 2011 04:00 AM

We are very lucky to re appoint Mr. Moon.Otherwise very dangerous for political leadership.

JOSEPH Saturday, 18 June 2011 03:55 AM

IT IS A PITY THAT HE IS GOING TO BE SG AGAIN. HE HAS CREATED MANY PROBLEMS FOR SRI LANKA.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Ban for second term

Comments - 20

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Man who jumped off Sri Pada Uda Maluwa and went missing, found

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand