Mahathir opposes Boutros-Ghali's bid

Mahathir opposes Boutros-Ghali's bid

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is refusing to support the bid by Boutros Boutros-Ghali to secure re-election as UN secretary general, news reports said yesterday.

Mahathir, who has been a fierce critic of the UN leader, said on Sunday Boutros-Ghali had been ineffective and had failed to carry out his duties as UN secretary-general, particularly in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"We will not support him because he cannot make decisions," The New Straits Times quoted Mahathir as saying.

"The Bosnian conflict was prolonged and many people were killed. We do not believe Boutros-Ghali can carry out his duties," he said. The 73-year-old Boutros-Ghali, whose term expires at the end of the year, has said he will stand again.

The United States announced last week that it would oppose Boutros-Ghali and wanted a candidate who could initiate more reforms for the world body.