PM Thaksin in Helsinki says DPM has chance to win UN top post

HELSINKI, Sept 11 (TNA) - Prime Minister Thaskin Shinawatra said on Monday after his talks with leaders of other countries in the Finnish capital of Hesinki that there is a possibility that Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai will be nominated to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The last Asian to hold the position was the late U Thant of Myanmar, then called Burma.

Speaking of his lobbying for support for caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart's bid to become the UN Secretary-General, the prime minister said he had talked to leaders of France and the United Kingdom, two of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Mr. Thaksin said that Dr. Surakiart's chance of being nominated for the position are about fifty-fifty.

Attending the two-day summit of the sixth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Helsinki, Prime Minister Thaksin said the meeting on Sunday discussed transnational crime, United Nations reform, nuclear issues and terrorism.

The issue of public health outbreaks posing threats to humans were also raised at the meeting, as well as Thailand's anti-bird flu measures and contribution of Bt100 million to cooperate with neighbouring countries to contain the bird flu virus and to stockpile vaccines.

Many countries were also interested in Thailand's provision of anti retroviral drug to AIDS patients., the prime minister said.

Monday's meeting will focus on culture, sustainable development, environment, energy security, globalization and ASEM's capability and future, said the Thai leader.

Mr. Thaksin is scheduled to deliver a closing speech, as Thailand was the host of the first ASEM meeting.

The 7th ASEM meeting will be held in 2008 in China.

TNA