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Dhanapala leads race for top UN job
Friday, 9 June 2006 - 9:38 PM SL Time
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New York, June 8 (IANS) Sri Lanka`s Jayantha Dhanapala is tipped as the man most likely to become the UN`s next secretary-general after Kofi Annan retires this year, while former US president Bill Clinton is seen as the least likely contender.
According to Foreign Policy journal, candidates in the race for the top UN job range from Dhanapala, the Sri Lankan presidential advisor with the most favourable odds of 6 to 1, to Clinton who stands a 1 in 1,000 chance, says the web edition of the prestigious journal.
Other `early leaders` it has named are Ban Ki Moon, South Korea`s minister of foreign affairs and trade, Surakiart Sathirathai, deputy prime minister and former foreign minister of Thailand, Kemal Dervis of Turkey who heads the UN Development Programme, Aleksander Kwasniewski, former president of Poland, and Vaira Vike-Freiberga, president of Latvia.
Dhanapala `is one of three men - all Asian - who have openly thrown their hats into the ring. Traditionally, the post has rotated from region to region, and Asia is next in line. (The last Asian who held the post was U Thant of Burma whose term expired in 1971.)
`Considered by many in the diplomatic community to be the frontrunner, the former under secretary-general for disarmament (Dhanapala) knows how to navigate the UN inside and out,` notes the journal.
However, when the pressing issue facing the world body is reform, being a familiar face at the UN may be a strike against him.
Also, as the former secretary-general of the Sri Lankan peace process, Dhanapala`s chances may be hurt by the rising conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamils in his island nation, according to the journal.
As for Clinton, the journal says: `Everybody loves Bubba. Since leaving office in 2001, the former US president has circumnavigated the globe countless times, spreading goodwill, helping tsunami victims in Asia, raising money to combat AIDS, and glad-handing everyone and everything within sight.
`He loves to talk. He loves to give speeches. He loves to hold court. What wouldn`t he like about the job?
However `He`s American. The UN secretary-general has never come from a permanent member of the Security Council.
`Plus, the current (US) president and (Clinton`s wife) Hillary may not agree about much, but neither wants to see the former president steal their thunder.`
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srimal111
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9 Jun 2006 14:52:29 GMT Report for Abuse
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| We could be really proud of Sri lankans if Danapala could be the next UN head !! |
vinivida
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9 Jun 2006 14:58:42 GMT Report for Abuse
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I hope and pray he would win.
What a proud milestone for the country, if he is elected!
1996 - World cup victory.
2006 - UN - SG???
Folks... there are brilliant Sri Lankans...everywhere.... because Sri Lankan culture, traditions, religions, sport, music and the nature mold folks who are sensible, cool and down to earth...
Shed your 'secondary' ethnic, religious and other sundry identities and build your lives on PRIMARY Sri Lankan identity. Here's a secret: It has worked very well for many folks to succeed in life. |
aj07
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9 Jun 2006 15:00:18 GMT Report for Abuse
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| I hope and pray he DOES NOT. He is not a sri lankan he is a singhalese!!. |
vinivida
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9 Jun 2006 15:02:25 GMT Report for Abuse
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Aj07
What are worshiping? Some tiger-balm?
Might not work! |
Thambi
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9 Jun 2006 15:11:21 GMT Report for Abuse
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| So the world top post going to be filled by a Joker ? he was not genuine in the peace process, even he did confirm that Karuna was not in GOSL control area , the world should be alerted for a unsuitable man . |
petijo1
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9 Jun 2006 15:12:07 GMT Report for Abuse
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Good people for good record out side,
but see inside the cruelty
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=18447
Edited By - petijo1 - 9 Jun 2006 15:30:46 GMT |
Thambi
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9 Jun 2006 15:13:08 GMT Report for Abuse
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| The IANS should receive the first price for the NEWS JOKE . |
petijo1
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9 Jun 2006 15:14:53 GMT Report for Abuse
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Thambi sir,
have you seen the cruelty of good men? |
srimal111
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9 Jun 2006 15:14:56 GMT Report for Abuse
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Thambi
comeon thambi.... your are Sri lankan too. let this man have a chance... we are all jokers from time to time. |
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