New UN chief says strong US support needed

Washington, Jan 17: New UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday told President George W Bush that he needed the strong support of the United States in tackling global challenges.

The leaders discussed Iraq, West Asia , Darfur, North Korea, and climate change, among other issues.

Ban said the United States and United Nations shared the goals of peace, security, freedom and democracy and that he needed the ''strong participation and support'' of the United States in all UN activities.

''The Middle East (West Asia) is a source of grave concern,'' Ban told reporters after meeting Bush at the White House, adding that the ''deteriorating situations'' in Iraq and Israel needed the ''urgent attention'' of the international community.

''Particularly when it comes to Iraq, the international community should have all possible assistance to help the Iraqi government and people to restore peace and stability and recover from economic devastation,'' he said.

The United States has been pushing hard since 2005 for reforms to make the UN more efficient and flexible in dealing with world crises, with only limited success. Washington's reform drive irritated many developing nations who feared losing influence over UN programmes and jobs.

Bush voiced confidence in the new secretary-general.

''I admired the way you handled your previous job and I'm confident you will do a fine job now,'' Bush told the former South Korean foreign minister in the Oval Office.

Earlier, White House spokesman Tony Snow said UN reform remained a priority. ''It is not beyond repair. The United Nations can play a constructive role, but it needs some work.'' Snow added, ''I think there have obviously been some concerns about the way in which the United Nations spends money and also handles its accounting'' but he said the United Nations overall was a ''net positive.''

REUTERS

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