OIC chief bids for UN secretary-general post

JAKARTA (JP): Hamid Algabid, the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC), disclosed yesterday his intention to run for the United Nations secretary-general post if Boutros-Boutros Ghali, who currently holds the position, is not renominated.

During a courtesy call on President Soeharto yesterday, Algabid, who is from Niger, asked for Indonesia's support if his nomination went ahead, Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas told reporters.

Alatas, who accompanied the OIC chief during the meeting with Soeharto at Merdeka Palace, said that Indonesia would study the request.

The minister explained that Indonesia supported Boutros-Ghali, an Egyptian, in his election five years ago, and is also supporting his bid for a second term in office.

The United States has stated its opposition to Boutros-Ghali serving a second term, and threatened to use its veto power in the UN Security Council if he pushed ahead with his candidacy.

Alatas, who himself was once considered for the top UN job, said that most African countries also support Boutros-Ghali's renomination. However, they said that should his bid be opposed by the United States, the post should still go to an African.

The African states argued that the continent should be given the chance to head the UN for at least two five-year terms, a treatment given to other continents previously.

Algabid is due to end his post at the OIC this December and therefore should be available for the United Nations if he was elected, Alatas said.

During yesterday's meeting, Algabid praised President Soeharto and Indonesia for helping to end the 25 years of bloody war between the Philippine government and the Moro rebels in Mindanao island, located in the southern Philippines.

Algabid and Alatas were in Manila early this week to witness the signing of the peace agreement for which the OIC, including Indonesia, played a significant role.

Algabid said he hoped an OIC ministerial meeting in Jakarta in December would discuss ways of helping to raise funds for the development of Mindanao. (emb)