UN reforms must accommodate rising powers - Dhanapala

BY MANJULA Fernando

SRI LANKAN candidate for the United Nations (UN) top post Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala, regarded as one of the four frontrunners in the race by UN watchers, said future reforms to UN must entail changes to accommodate rising economic powers like China as well as India.

"I think the global system must find a way not only to accommodate a rising China but a rising India, so we can have a harmonious accommodation of more economic powers which will be able to share responsibility," he said.

Dhanapala was speaking at a panel discussion at the Davos World Economic Forum on Thursday where he was invited to attend as a running candidate for the top post.

The discussion on the future of the UN was headed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, the only other candidate whose candidacy has been formally announced and the rumoured candidate Latvian President Vike Freiberga were also present at this exchange of thoughts.

The prospective UN chiefs were asked to answer among other things whether the world still needs the UN and why? and What changes are necessary for the organisation to strengthen its credibility and make it more relevant ?

Dhanapala left for Switzerland early Wednesday to attend the Davos meeting, a gathering of world economic giants where he is expected to be mostly canvassing for the top post, considered to be open this time for a candidate from Asia.

The UN announced four front runners in the fray, Dhanapala, the South Korean Foreign Minister, Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski and Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai.

Senior diplomat Dhanapala, a one time UN Under Secretary for Disarmament with vast experience within the world body itself is rated as one of the most eligible in the race.

Although it has not been announced so far by the respective governments it is rumoured that British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former US President Bill Clinton are also likely to contest for the top seat.

Western newspapers have reported Clinton as suggesting that if Blair enters the race for the critical post within UN establishment he will "put his weight behind him".

India's Thuroor Shashi, a current under secretary general, said to be close to the present Secretary General, is also mentioned as one of the favoured candidates. The top post is to become vacant at the end of this year when Annan steps down after serving full two terms.

"The next Secretary General has to be appointed by at least November," a senior official at the UN Colombo office told the Daily News.

The successful candidate must secure nine affirmative votes including those of the five permanent members of the Security Council.