The UN Security Council yesterday held its first straw poll on
candidates vying to become the world body's next secretary-general
but made no announcement of the results.
All four candidates come from Asia, namely Sri Lanka's
presidential advisor Jayantha Dhanapala, South Korean Foreign
Minister Ban Ki-moon, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart
Sathirathai and Indian Shashi Tharoor, a UN undersecretary for
communications and public information.
Speaking to reporters after the secret balloting, US Ambassador
John Bolton said the council members agreed not to disclose the
results but representatives from the candidates countries would be
told their own votes.
The US is looking forward to a final decision on the new UN
chief to be made as soon as possible, possibly in September or
early October, said Bolton.
An unwritten rule, as well as a 1997 General Assembly
resolution, says that due regard should be given to regional
rotation in the selection of a secretary-general. As the last and
only Asian to hold the post was U Thant of Burma, whose term ended
35 years ago, it is widely expected that it is the Asian group's
turn.
(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2006)
