Thaksin For Un Chief

[jrincon17]

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he hopes France, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, would support a Thai candidate as the world body's next secretary general.

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Thaksin and President Jacques Chirac will hold talks when the French leader makes his first state visit to the country on Friday and Saturday.

"We've asked for the support from President Chirac personally," Thaksin told AFP in an interview, adding that the next UN chief should come from Asia due to its presence in global affairs.

"But we don't know yet because if it were to be Asia's turn, we (Thailand) stand a very good chance," Thaksin said.

Singapore also said Thursday it backed the candidacy of Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai for the post of UN Secretary General despite a bid by South Korea's foreign minister. Earlier this week, Indonesia also announced its backing for the Thai candidate.

The race to replace UN Secretary General Kofi Annan moved to high gear after South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday declared his candidacy for the UN's top post.

Annan's second five-year term as UN secretary-general expires at the end of the year, and the Ghanian boss has said he should be replaced by an Asian to conform with regional rotation of the top job.

South Korea's Ban is the third Asian to declare his candidacy after Surakiart and Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapala, an adviser to President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Thaksin said Surakiart, an academic-turned-politician, would do well for the world body.

"We hope that President Chirac and the French government will support because I think he is a good candidate. He will be very good for the UN if he can be" appointed, the prime minister said.

Chirac has told Thailand's English-daily The Nation earlier that the new UN chief must be a leader who can unite the international community but stopped short of endorsing the Thai candidate.

"This choice will be made bearing in mind that the successor to Kofi Annan must be a name which unites the international community," Chirac said in an interview with the paper, published on Wednesday.

Before entering politics, Surakiart was the dean of the faculty of law at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand's top university.

[Sing_Sling]

Yup, that will happen . . . The UN had U Thant, so why not someone from Thailand?

Easy choice, really. Simply disqualify all asian countries that are corrupt and end up choosing between someone from Singapore or Singapore.

[tuky]

Perhaps he could do a deal, the UN chief spot for x amount of chickens?

[britmaveric]

I'm sure fearless leader couldnt do any worse than Koffi! Prob fit in right at home at the UN.

[mickmac]

I'm sure fearless leader couldnt do any worse than Koffi! Prob fit in right at home at the UN.

Just imagine all the satellite systems he could sell to all those countries whilst he was in New York

[Kerryd]

I'm sure fearless leader couldnt do any worse than Koffi! Prob fit in right at home at the UN.

Just imagine all the satellite systems he could sell to all those countries whilst he was in New York

Keep in mind that it's not Toxin himself running for the post. If the Thai candidate gets the job, it will probably mean a great boost for the Thai economy. Maybe a few shady Chickens for Oil deals ? New cell-phones for all UN members to go with their new satellite systems ?

Of course, the first thing that would happen is that the UN headquarters would be moved to Chang Mai ! Thailand would become the new "hub" for all UN activities !

[penzman]

Won't happen.

Ask a Thai about Surakiart Sathirathai's "extravagant" lifestyle.

Heng?

[frenchFARANGbkk]

Dunno the guy but hope that he has more knowledge and charisma than Toxin seems to have...

[snoophound]

The UN definitely needs a leader over a politician.

Its been progressivley marginalised for years.

Who would be a good candidate??

Dunno the guy but hope that he has more knowledge and charisma than Toxin seems to have...

[Kerryd]

The UN definitely needs a leader over a politician.

Its been progressivley marginalised for years.

Who would be a good candidate??

I vote for Boon Mee !

It's time the UN got off it's butt and started kicking some @ss (especially within it's own organization).