Mapping out Ban-Moon’s tenure
Challenges before the new UN secretary general
TOPE ORIOLA STAFF
The United Nations is poised for a new dawn with the overwhelming unanimous election of South Korean foreign minister, Ban Ki-Moon, as the successor of Kofi Annan. Ki-Moon’s tenure will be shaped, positively or negatively, by a few, but precarious, events that call for painstaking planning and thought.
Bush’s foreign policy and influence
The Bush factor will be a fundamental role in Ki-Moon’s success or failure at least for the next two years. Bush’s now-legendary “cowboy diplomacy” embedded in sparsely thought ideology may need to give way to greater rationality. One example is Bush’s refusal to enter into direct negotiations with Iran and North Korea. Ki-Moon will need to assert his independence from the Bush White House in order to make any mark on the sand of time in his new office. It took Annan years to find his voice and openly criticize Bush’s policy, thus, countries at daggers-drawn with the U.S. saw him and his UN as an extension of the U.S.. This will be Ki- Moon’s major headache: checkmating the excesses of the president of the world’s sole super power.
Iraq
Ki-Moon’s tact and diplomatic savvy will be put to the test with the yetto- be-admitted civil war in Iraq. To Annan’s credit, the UN opposed America’s unilateral invasion of Iraq, but has watched mouth agape as thousands continue to die. Tensions in Iraq will continue for at least the first six months of Ki-Moon’s tenure. It might help him to stare Bush and his failed advisors in the face and say that their mission in Iraq was over before it began. How fast Ki- Moon responds to the unwarranted yet burgeoning humanitarian crisis in Iraq and the spate of killings will be used to assess his tenure in the next five years. Regardless of Bush’s propaganda, the logical thing to do at this point is to follow the advice of democrats as enunciated by Barack Obama — phased withdrawal from the carnage in Iraq, while allowing Iraqis to stand up for their country.
Iran
This now (in)famous “axis of evil,” ala George Bush, will need to be taken more seriously. Recognition needs to be given to Iran’s right to have nuclear weapons. However, Iran will need to be told nicely, humanely and with all respect due the sovereign state housing the world-historical Persians and other great nationalities if the world feels it should not have nuclear weapons. Ki-Moon will do well to expose the double standard inherent in allowing the undemocratic government in Pakistan under Pervez Musharaff to have nuclear weapons while Iran is being dissuaded. Perhaps Ki-Moon will succeed in making George Bush accept Mahmud Ahmadinejab’s challenge to a debate. The debate, however, should not be mere performance for television cameras, but one in which both leaders can iron out their differences and reach a compromise.
North Korea
Pyongyang is not only a threat to the world, but also to itself. As a neighbour to North Korea, Ki-Moon should know its capabilities. Efforts must be stepped up to make Kim Jong-il allow his people to enjoy the benefits of living in the 21st century rather than squander their resources on missiles. The military option is no option, just like in Iran’s case; the consequences will be grievous. Prodemocracy groups and human rights activists within and outside North Korea will need to be supported to ease Jong-il out of power.
Financing the UN
Elsewhere (the Manitoban, Aug. 23, 2006), I argued that the dependence of the UN on the U.S. was unhealthy for the UN’s autonomy. Ki-Moon faces the onerous challenge of sourcing funds for the UN and convincing member-states to pay their dues promptly to the UN. The UN under Ki-Moon will face the same financial constraints that Annan faced. How well he succeeds depends on this crucial factor and the prudent management of every cent that accrues into the coffers of the UN.
Miscellaneous issues
The UN still needs to make the apparently symbolic gesture of relocating its headquarters from New York to a city in traditionally neutral countries like Switzerland or Sweden. The UN is too close to the U.S. for everyone’s comfort. Ki-Moon must watch China and Russia very closely. These are countries whose foreign policy is often saying one thing and doing another. Ki-Moon must be wary of these foxes and their illdefined national interest.
The new UN chief will also need to be coherent on issues rather than allowing events to sort themselves out. If the report by the BBC stating that “during his tenure as foreign minister, his country has also been criticized for its non-committal approach to North Korea’s human rights record,” is anything to go by, Ki-Moon will need be reminded that his new job is what Annan has called “world’s most impossible job.” A major part of this job is fighting against human rights abuses everywhere in the world and ensuring good governance.
As Ban Ki-Moon takes office in a couple of months, I hope that he finds his self-acclaimed “inner strength” to do his job conscientiously; the courage to be an impartial arbiter to all no matter whose horse is gored and the intelligence to deal with empirebuilders and delinquent nation-states the world over. The world’s destiny calls; we await the new moon.
Tope Oriola is Comment Editor of the Manitoban, and is pursuing a masters in sociology.
