S Korean foreign minister nominated to lead UN

Washington, July 16 (UNI) South Korea has formally nominated its Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon to succeed Kofi Annan as UN secretary-general, government said in a letter circulated at the United Nations yesterday.

Ban, whose nomination has been speculated for long, became the fourth official candidate for the post opening up in January 2007, after Annan's lays down office after a five year term.

In a letter to the Security Council, South Korean UN Ambassador Choi Young-jin said ''Over a career spanning more than 37 years, Ban has provided distinguished service both to the government of the Republic of Korea and on the international stage.'' His reform initiatives at the Foreign Ministry over the past three years would help him lead management reform efforts at the United Nations, Choi said.

Ban, 62, has been South Korea's foreign minister since January 2004 and has also served as ambassador to the United Nations.

A career diplomat, he comes from humble beginnings and is said to be a consensus builder and shuns the limelight preferring quiet diplomacy, analysts said.

He is equally fluent in English and also speaks French, a requirement that France, with veto power in the selection process, insists upon for any potential UN leader.

The United States, like France another key player in the selection process has for the first time acknowledged that the next UN Official should come from the Far East Asia. Russia, China and Britain, also with veto power, are all permanent council members and have a say in the selection process.

''As I understand it, traditionally ... regions rotate, and we're really looking in the Far East right now to be the secretary-general,'' US President George W Bush said.

Earlier, the United States had said the best possible candidate should fill the job, regardless of region.

The Security Council plays the crucial role in picking a secretary-general, nominating a suitable candidate and submitting his name to the 192-nation UN General Assembly for final approval.

The other three candidates vying for the position are: India's official candidate Shashi Tharoor, currently the UN undersecretary general for communications and public information, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and former UN under secretary-general for disarmament Jayantha Dhanapala of Sri Lanka.

But, more names are likely to be added to the list, diplomats say.

Pakistan is reportedly considering fielding Nafis Sadik - Annan's special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific.

Although Shashi Tharoor's name has been making the rounds since last year, New Delhi formally chose him as candidate this month, to succeed Kofi Annan.

However, even though Tharoor had worked for more than 20 years at the United Nations, his name is yet to penetrate into the corridors of power in Washington.

Annan's second and final five-year term in office ends on December 31. His successor, who will be chosen by the Council around October, will take over on January 1, 2007.

The last Asian to hold the post was Myanmar's U Thant, who's tenure ended in 1971.

UNI XC DKS BD0622