Ban recommendation postponed

17 June 2011 08:48 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The U.N. Security Council Thursday delayed by a day its vote to recommend Ban Ki-moon for a second term as U.N. chief after Cuba and other Latin American countries declined to endorse him, envoys said.

"Cuba's causing difficulties with GRULAC (Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries), but it's just procedural," a Western diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

"Ban's going to win, though it's unclear whether GRULAC will endorse him as a bloc," the diplomat added. Cuba's U.N. mission issued a statement denying Havana was the reason the process had been held up, adding, "Nor has it been opposed to this re-election."

A spokesman for Cuba's mission declined to comment when asked whether the statement meant his mission would now vote in favor of a GRULAC endorsement of the U.N. chief.

A senior U.N. official confirmed that Cuba was not alone and that other Latin American countries including Mexico, Guatemala and Paraguay had raised concerns. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said Mexico suggested there should be more than one candidate for the top U.N. job.

Diplomats said the Security Council vote on whether to recommend the former South Korean foreign minister for a second five-year term as U.N. secretary-general starting in January 2012 had been postponed until Friday at 11 a.m. (1500 GMT)

It was not immediately clear what specific reason Cuba might have for not supporting a GRULAC endorsement of Ban, but Western diplomats say Havana sees the secretary-general as under U.S. influence.

BRAZIL SUPPORTS BAN'S RE-ELECTION

Diplomats said there was an inconclusive GRULAC meeting on Thursday afternoon and another one scheduled before Friday's council meeting to see if the bloc could agree to endorse Ban.

If GRULAC was unable to back Ban, who is so far the only candidate for the post, it would have no impact on the voting process. But it might be embarrassing for the U.N. chief, who diplomats say would like to have the official support of all 192 member states and all regional groups.

Ban, who was visiting Brazil Thursday, did not comment directly on the delay, telling reporters in Brasilia, "I expect that member states will take positive consideration for my humble desire to serve this great organization."

Brazilian diplomats said late Thursday the country would support Ban's re-election bid.

Officially, U.N. secretaries-general are elected by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. In reality, it is the five permanent veto-wielding council members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- that decide who gets the job.

All five permanent council members have said they support Ban's re-election. The General Assembly is expected to formally approve Ban's second term Tuesday. Ban has been touring Latin America this week to meet with regional leaders. He has not visited Cuba. (Reuters)

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Comments - 12

I Hussein Friday, 17 June 2011 09:25 AM

Right or wrong see how the latins work with a backbone.
Big mouth wont do, you need courage you cowards.

Patriot Friday, 17 June 2011 11:01 AM

What's now??? Paving the way for another Darusman Report?? What ever it is the poor citizen and the poor voter of this country is at the receiving end.

kalum Friday, 17 June 2011 11:38 AM

crack down ban. we dont need him as UN chief.otherweise Sri lanka will have more problem.let him to begging for his post.

Nalubatta Friday, 17 June 2011 11:55 AM

Did SL endorse BKM If so it shows our people have no backbone. They are just jokers.

UK TAMIL BOY Friday, 17 June 2011 12:47 PM

WE DON'T LIKE YOU, GO HOME.

Bob Friday, 17 June 2011 01:35 PM

I think known devil is better than unknown angel.So we should go with Moon since he has support of other NAM countries bcz he is from Asia.

Thilak Friday, 17 June 2011 06:22 PM

Most ineffective secretary general, making the UN a useless organisation. He should go.

Heamu Friday, 17 June 2011 06:28 PM

Better to have this friend of Darusman. He can support GOSL by preparing many reports and making all Sri Lankans to used their signatures against those reports. Happy living

Jacoob Friday, 17 June 2011 09:43 PM

100% true..
See what happened and shown on C4
All fun mate

Guru Friday, 17 June 2011 09:55 PM

He should be sent home.

ila Saturday, 18 June 2011 01:16 AM

since Ban Ki moon well collaborated with Sri Lanka during the war even when the UN workers were forced to leave war front, Ban KI moon's reappointment will be a good news. He can send Nambir who is India's agent.

Ruwan Ferdinandez Saturday, 18 June 2011 02:34 AM

What are you suggesting Hussein and Patriot? Sri Lanka could not ask SAARC countries or a wider Asian bloc to oppose Ban, for a few reasons. One is, once Ban is gone, there won't be another Asian for several terms. Two is, A non-Asian will be very difficult to deal with for SL. Ban has been very supportive to us, he only has appointed an 'advisory mission' under so much pressure. Three is, other Asians will like to see an Asian there than anybody else. A move by SL to kick Ban out will only cause division. The government through Russia and China is doing really well at present. A different country would be in deep trouble by now.

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Ban recommendation postponed

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