Ariddia
14-12-2006, 23:17
Ban Ki-Mun was sworn in today as new UN Secretary General.
Apparently he has the backing of the United States... although that could just be diplomatic words, of course:
US deputy Ambassador to the UN Alejandro Wolff, whose country played a key role in Ban's appointment, said the South Korean career diplomat "commands our full respect."
"We have full confidence in his ability, his goodwill and his desire to serve and to achieve," the US delegate said. "We look forward to working with the new secretary general and other member states to achieve our shared goal of making the United Nations stronger and more effective and thus further honor Kofi Annan's vision."
Full article here (http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/world/20061214-Ban-Ki-Moon-Portrait.html) (with video).
Thoughts? Will the UN be different under Ban?
(If nothing else, I hope people will at least finally realise that Koreans put their family name before their given name, and that his family name is Ban, not Ki-mun).
Apparently he has the backing of the United States... although that could just be diplomatic words, of course:
US deputy Ambassador to the UN Alejandro Wolff, whose country played a key role in Ban's appointment, said the South Korean career diplomat "commands our full respect."
"We have full confidence in his ability, his goodwill and his desire to serve and to achieve," the US delegate said. "We look forward to working with the new secretary general and other member states to achieve our shared goal of making the United Nations stronger and more effective and thus further honor Kofi Annan's vision."
Full article here (http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/world/20061214-Ban-Ki-Moon-Portrait.html) (with video).
Thoughts? Will the UN be different under Ban?
(If nothing else, I hope people will at least finally realise that Koreans put their family name before their given name, and that his family name is Ban, not Ki-mun).