UN chief

United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's bid for another term is causing tension within the organization, and this can subsequently have severe ramifications as far as relations between the member states are concerned.

History shows that getting a new chief has always proven to be difficult for the UN -- an undertaking that requires brinkmanship and common sense on the part of all those involved in the effort.

However, Boutros-Ghali might find it difficult to stay on, especially considering the strong opposition voiced by the U.S. Washington said its decision was irrevocable, stressing that it was concerned with the lack of reforms in the UN as well as the perceived inability of the world body to perform more effectively.

While the U.S. has avoided directly criticizing Boutros-Ghali, everyone knows that its permanent representative to the UN, Madeleine Albright, is not on good terms with the UN chief.

It is therefore safe to assume that the U.S. will exercise its veto power as a member of the UN Security Council.

The council will decide soon if the next UN chief will come from Africa or Asia. It is hoped that their decision will lean towards Asia, which has the world's most dynamic economies.

In the last five years, Boutros-Ghali has had his chance and, unfortunately, he has done little to improve the situation within the UN.

Allegations that the UN is merely a bloated bureaucracy, with its members lacking confidence, will now be used by those opposed to his renomination.

The issue of the next UN head must be settled as early as possible to keep members from straying from their primary objective of reforming the UN and make it a better world body responsive to the new demands of the post Cold War era.

-- The Nation, Bangkok