05-19-2004, 12:24 AM
Race for UN Secretary-General Hots Up Will Dhanapala enter the fray?
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo, NYT 4.15 P.M Tuesday 18 May. By Bandula Jayasekara at the United Nations-New York -With two years to go, the race for the post of the UN Secretary-General is hoting up with members of the ASEAN countries announcing at the United Nations last week that they are carrying out intensive consultation to come up with a common Asian candidate for the Secretary-Generals post. Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines are staking their claim for the top post at the United Nations.
If Sri Lanka is planning to field a candidate it is time for the government to come forward with a respected and a suitable candidate. Diplomatic sources a the United Nations told The Island that former foreign minister Tyrone Fernando’s candidacy was dead on arrival even when he was Foreign Minister. However, speculation at the United Nation is that former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs; Jayantha Dhanapala, who now heads the Peace Secretariat and also an Advisor to President Kumaratunga, will be a strong candidate for the job if he declares his candidacy.
UN sources also said if Sri Lanka is seriously thinking of fielding a candidate a full time diplomat should begin to campaign for the country.
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo, NYT 4.15 P.M Tuesday 18 May. By Bandula Jayasekara at the United Nations-New York -With two years to go, the race for the post of the UN Secretary-General is hoting up with members of the ASEAN countries announcing at the United Nations last week that they are carrying out intensive consultation to come up with a common Asian candidate for the Secretary-Generals post. Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines are staking their claim for the top post at the United Nations.
If Sri Lanka is planning to field a candidate it is time for the government to come forward with a respected and a suitable candidate. Diplomatic sources a the United Nations told The Island that former foreign minister Tyrone Fernando’s candidacy was dead on arrival even when he was Foreign Minister. However, speculation at the United Nation is that former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs; Jayantha Dhanapala, who now heads the Peace Secretariat and also an Advisor to President Kumaratunga, will be a strong candidate for the job if he declares his candidacy.
UN sources also said if Sri Lanka is seriously thinking of fielding a candidate a full time diplomat should begin to campaign for the country.
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