OIC chief bids for UN secretary-general post<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hamid Algabid, the secretary-general of the
\nOrganization of Islamic Conferences (OIC), disclosed yesterday
\nhis intention to run for the United Nations secretary-general
\npost if Boutros-Boutros Ghali, who currently holds the position,
\nis not renominated.<\/p>\n
During a courtesy call on President Soeharto yesterday,
\nAlgabid, who is from Niger, asked for Indonesia's support if his
\nnomination went ahead, Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs
\nAli Alatas told reporters.<\/p>\n
Alatas, who accompanied the OIC chief during the meeting with
\nSoeharto at Merdeka Palace, said that Indonesia would study the
\nrequest.<\/p>\n
The minister explained that Indonesia supported Boutros-Ghali,
\nan Egyptian, in his election five years ago, and is also
\nsupporting his bid for a second term in office.<\/p>\n
The United States has stated its opposition to Boutros-Ghali
\nserving a second term, and threatened to use its veto power in
\nthe UN Security Council if he pushed ahead with his candidacy.<\/p>\n
Alatas, who himself was once considered for the top UN job,
\nsaid that most African countries also support Boutros-Ghali's
\nrenomination. However, they said that should his bid be opposed
\nby the United States, the post should still go to an African.<\/p>\n
The African states argued that the continent should be given
\nthe chance to head the UN for at least two five-year terms, a
\ntreatment given to other continents previously.<\/p>\n
Algabid is due to end his post at the OIC this December and
\ntherefore should be available for the United Nations if he was
\nelected, Alatas said.<\/p>\n
During yesterday's meeting, Algabid praised President Soeharto
\nand Indonesia for helping to end the 25 years of bloody war
\nbetween the Philippine government and the Moro rebels in Mindanao
\nisland, located in the southern Philippines.<\/p>\n
Algabid and Alatas were in Manila early this week to witness
\nthe signing of the peace agreement for which the OIC, including
\nIndonesia, played a significant role.<\/p>\n
Algabid said he hoped an OIC ministerial meeting in Jakarta in
\nDecember would discuss ways of helping to raise funds for the
\ndevelopment of Mindanao. (emb)<\/p>",
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