OIC chief bids for UN secretary-general post
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)