UN Security Council Launched Secret Vote on Annan Successor

PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN Security Council launched a secret vote on the candidacy of Kofi Annan's successor as UN Sec.-Gen, reports AFP. Four candidates are considered, all of them represent Asian countries. These include South Korea Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon, diplomat from Sri Lanka Jayantha Dhanapala, Thai Deputy PM Surakiart Sathirathai and Indian Shashi Tharoor, UN PR Secretary. During the first round of the vote all 15 members of the Security Council should express their attitude to each of the candidacies by approval, disapproval or refraining.



The election of new UN Sec. Gen. will have rounds and can last till September- October or even more, a source in diplomatic circles stated. In its words, the list of the claimants is open and new names may emerge in it. However, any new candidacies will also represent Asia, as according to the rotation principle after African Annan an Asian should be the Sec. Gen. According to the UN Charter, the new Sec. Gen. is elected by 192 members of the UN General Assembly. The Security Council submits the candidacy for consideration by the Assembly. Ban Ki-Moon and Shashi Tharoor are at the top of the first rating vote.