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Curzon
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Curzon

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October 4th, 2006

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Ahhh, this is rich

In the race to succeed Kofi Annan as Secretary General of the United Nations, it now appears that the post will be taken by a top minister of perhaps the most left-wing administrations in the democratic world. Who’s the lucky guy? Foreign and Trade Minister Ban Ki-Moon is the candidate that the Security Council will recommend.

Only too late I’ve found the delightful UNSG and Chapter 15 blogs that followed the UNSG race. It’s worth reading through the archives to understand how the race was won (not surprisingly, promises of aid from South Korea were crutial to Ban’s candidacy). Ban’s closest rival was India’s Shashi Tharoor, who pulled out of the race after getting negative vote from a member of the security council. We don’t yet know which power that was, but speculation is on France.

I may be too cynical in associating Ban with the Roh administration. Ban is a career diplomat, not a directionless lefty, understands the issues facing the UN, and is may not be instinctively anti-American. But evidence suggests that my fears are justified.

Color me shocked that Marmot hasn’t covered this yet.

Comments to this entry

Younghusband
October 4, 2006
1:13 am
I too thought the Marmot would be all over this. When I saw the proceedings on the telly yesterday I went straight to their site. I vaguely recall Ban saying some strange things while part of the Roh administration, and I was looking for a good profile. I also subscribe to your cynicism.
Jodi
October 4, 2006
1:39 am
Well if it's ever confirmed, this is certainly bad news. Although I am terribly sick of the Korea-Japan land disputes, I did find this funny. I just learned that Ban supported the likes of this idea. (Note: I beleive the photo was doctored but the proposal was genuine.)

Another good reason why the guy is not fit for the job.
The Marmot
October 4, 2006
1:44 am
This is because the Marmot could care less whether Ban becomes UN General Secretary or not. He's a decent enough administrator---an excellent one, in fact---who happened to be working for a shitty boss. His job, in fact, was to smooth things over with the United States each and every time President Roh said something stupid. I'm sure he'll do just fine at the UN, although rumor has it the French don't like him and I have to wonder---Roh politics aside---whether or not other states might have a problem with a UN general secretary who---Roh politics aside---was the foreign minister of a nation with a mutual security pact with a certain powerful Security Council member.
Curzon
October 4, 2006
1:47 am
Point take, Rob. Although since you've outsourced to guest posters, I thought if not you, perhaps Andy would have a solid summary. Your comment makes some good points -- thanks for sharing that.
The Marmot
October 4, 2006
1:55 am
Actually, I'm kind of surprised Andy didn't post on it myself---he usually likes that sort of thing. The guys over at The Korea Liberator have a lot of stuff on The Banmeister, if you're interested---I believe they were leading a campaign to block his candidacy. Anyway, definitely worth checking out.
Curzon
October 4, 2006
1:59 am
Jodi: thanks for that link. Ban's inexplicable outbursts calling Japan's actions "impure" and "erroneous" is just the type of stuff I remember about Ban's recent career and why I've long thought he is unfit for UNSG. (That stuff is standard at today's ROK Foreign Ministry, but would bring rolled eyes at the UNSC.)
GI Korea
October 4, 2006
7:33 am
Ban is perfect for the UN. Experienced in dealing with corruption, makes excuses for dictators, overlooks human rights abuses, and is an apologist for anti-American loons. Pretty much covers the scope of the job of a UN Secretary General.
lirelou
October 4, 2006
7:50 am
Ban, isn't that a roll-on used to cover malodorous bodies? Sounds like a perfect name for a UNSG.
yeolchae
October 4, 2006
9:38 am
Ban's been in the game a long time. He is definitely a career politician so he probably just aligned himself with the correct people to get into power.

"Take a look at this.":http://yeolchae.wordpress.com/2006/10/03/photo-of-ban-ki-moon-listening-to-jfk-in-1962/
vijay
October 4, 2006
5:52 pm
Ahhhh this is Rich..

I have nothing against Ban..
It seems to be politics as usual
Why "ËœBan' when one can choose a god or a demi god.
Shashi Tharoor speaks and has communicated in the past and still does. .You be the Judge? Of what he has written. Not supporting him or anyone else.
It might make the Koreans Proud , and I welcome it, but they are a divided nation. Hopefully, they will join with their other half (Russia was split, Germany is together and North and South may merge).
It really does not matter who is the UN Chief! So long as He or She can address poverty and sustainability of the world.
The UN Chief is not a God!! (SIC)
I say welcome! But don't be a lackey!
vijay
October 4, 2006
5:54 pm
Mya be it is time to learn korean. after thought!
From the Rossetta stone!
vijay
Rommel
October 5, 2006
1:29 am
Damn, I was pulling for Shashi! He seemed the lesser of several evils, despite his being a creature of the UN beauracracy. I hear that Mr. Ki-Moon is actually a borg remotely controlled by Mr. Jong-Il .. sounds reasonable to me.
Chuckles
October 5, 2006
1:32 am
This is a disaster. Why do I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that someone, somewhere, feels like that they need to check a re-emergent Japan and that this fellow aint in Korea or China?
Admiral
October 5, 2006
6:49 am
There is no way that Ban could be as short-sighted as Roh supporters, who can't see beyond their noses in terms of time horizons. We can count on that much.

On the other hand, I doubt we can expect this man to be a strong leader with a vision that encompasses the realities of today's world. Foremost amongst them is the perilous power struggle in Emerging Asia and the War on Terror, far wider than most think and far more critical-- but in essence it comes down to will and charisma, and this guy is gonna keep leading the UN down the road to irrelevance.

Ever since Douglas MacArthur was removed from his UN command, I fear the UN has been doomed. ::sigh::
Jodi
October 5, 2006
7:24 am
Well one good thing is that in this position he will be watched carefully as the whole world will be judging him on his performance. His anti-American/anti-Japanese sentiments must be put into check beccause if he shows the slightest hint of bias, you can bet the world is going to call him on it.

Having said that though, I lost faith in the UN a long time ago.
Joseph
October 5, 2006
8:19 am
I have posted on it at my site. INGOs are important, but it seems to be a conservative article of faith to doubt their purpose.

It's reality, though...
davesgonechina
October 6, 2006
6:23 am
Ban's closest rival was India's Shashi Tharoor, who pulled out of the race after getting negative vote from a member of the security council. We don't yet know which power that was, but speculation is on France.

Actually, all the speculation I've read says it was the U.S. that shot down Tharoor.
vijay
October 6, 2006
4:20 pm
I agree with'davesgonechina'
makes sense.
The South of the globe is out!
davesgonechina
October 6, 2006
5:11 pm
I don't know if it makes sense, Vijay, I'm not privy to the thinking of the Security Council. But all the articles I've read say that the U.S. vetoed Tharoor while enthusiastically backing Ban. Britain and France, reportedly, were not excited about Ban but felt pressured to support him. If that's the case, I really can't see how France was behind Tharoor's elimination.

Whether this is a global north/south thing, well, maybe, but I've seen nothing to bear that out. With most of these guys you're dealing with members of the rarified elite of the UN diplomacy world, so even if they're from the "South", they're really just members of the club. Ain't no populists in those circles.
Vijay
October 7, 2006
3:57 am
The US is for korea!.It is fine!
The "South is out" is only an opinion based on history.
I agree it is not North but given the present situation! Look down South and how many lands are re-presented in the aggregate (called UN!).
East, West North South.. ? is a club?U R right about the club!
Elizabeth
October 7, 2006
7:14 pm
Ghani for Secretary General.

I don't even know where to begin, but I nearly cried when he was taken out of the Ministry of Finance. That was the beginning of the end for Afghanistan. He might have pressured the UN and NGOs, but it was for all the right reasons. I hope you all will take a look and endorse him, if you're in that game...
CTDeLude
October 8, 2006
2:12 am
Didn't the US at one point back someone from Thailand?