India: PM a Possible Successor to Kofi Annan

May 9, 2006
Adnkronos International
Original Source: http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.296102388&par=0
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javascript:diminuisci();New Delhi, 9 May (AKI/Asian Age) - India's prime minister Manmohan Singh has been sounded out unofficially for the post of United Nations secretary general, which will fall vacant at the end of the year when Kofi Annan completes his two terms in office. It could not be ascertained whether Singh has refused the offer categorically or left it hanging, to be picked up later in the year in case the current move within the Congress Party to increase the pressure against him gathers ground over the next few weeks.

The search for Annan's successor has begun in earnest, with the all-powerful UN Security Council having held a meeting at the insistance of US ambassador John Bolton to discuss the issue and, as the envoy said, get a sense of where the Council is on the matter. 

Manmohan Singh's international image is extremely good, according to sources who pointed out that if he agrees his candidature would be accepted by all permanent members of the Security Council — namely the United States, Britain, France and Russia; with China being the only uncertainty. Western diplomats based in New Delhi have often told this correspondent that Singh is widely respected as an economist and for bringing to his job the very popular self-effacing Indian style of functioning. 

Singh could have a rival in British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is also a Washington favourite for the post. Mr Blair is currently facing strong opposition at home, and is dogged by rumours that he might have to step down to make way for a more acceptable candidate to lead his government and the Labour Party into the next elections. The BBC had in fact interviewed former US President Bill Clinton on the subject, and in response to a direct question on Mr Blair's candidature for the top UN post, he had said: That would suit me, he would be a good one. Clinton said that he had discussed Blair's future with him, and the lot of good you can do after leaving 10, Downing Street. 

What does not, however, stand in the British Prime Minister's favour is the unspoken rule that the UN secretary general should be drawn from countries outside the Permanent Five, and that the choice this time is settling on Asia, which is asserting its rightful claim to the post. The last UN secretary general from this continent was in 1961-71, when Burma's U Thant served for two terms. The 114-member non-aligned movement, the 54-member Asian group and the 53-member African Union have all publicly come out in support of a candidate from Asia. The three candidates who have formally thrown their hats into the ring are Thailand's deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai, Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapal, who was also UN undersecretary-general for disarmament, and South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-Moon. 

The real battle for the top UN post is, however, being fought outside the public spotlight. UN undersecretary-general for communication and public information Shashi Tharoor, who is considered the right-hand man of Kofi Annan, has been lobbying hard, but despite two quick visits to India in recent weeks has been unable to get a commitment of support from the government. Other indications that India might like to play for the post of secretary general has come from the government's reluctance to name a candidate for the post of deputy secretary general, although at one stage the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who is also very close to the Indian Prime Minister, was doing the rounds. Also, now that India has been denied a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, sources said, makes it a major contender for the top UN post. 

India has till now not even indicated an interest in fielding a candidate for the UN post which, sources said, could be an indication that the job is on offer to the prime minister Sources, however, were quick to point out that it was not at all clear as yet whether Dr Manmohan Singh was interested, although if he was the United States, Russia, Britain and France could be expected to support his candidature without any objections. China is, of course, keen on an Asian candidate, but might not be very keen to support an Indian because of the strengthening relations between New Delhi and Washington.