EDITORIAL

Pull the plug on Surakiart's UN bid

The CDRM should withdraw support for the former deputy PM's candidacy in the race to succeed Kofi Annan

The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) left many baffled with its recent announcement that the country would continue to support former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai in his bid to become the next UN secretary-general, replacing Kofi Annan who plans to step down in coming weeks. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin's advisers said that he wanted to show that he was a "gentleman" - not a bully out to destroy all things Thai Rak Thai.

If that is the case, Sonthi has demonstrated unusual magnanimity - given the fact Surakiart had gone out of his way to defend ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to his last political breath.

Besides going on a live CNN newscast to slam the junta as the coup was unfolding, Surakiart was instrumental in the redrafting of Thaksin's speech that was to be delivered to the UN General Assembly but cancelled once it became obvious that the CDRM had taken full control of government. Thaksin was looking to use this speech to attack Sonthi for staging the coup.

Up to his last day in power, Thaksin was telling the world that he was a democratically elected leader and that those who opposed him were undemocratic. Never mind the fact that he had destroyed democratic institutions, rolled back civil liberties and intimidated his critics.

While Sonthi may want to project the image that he is a good sport, Surakiart's return to the race for the UN's top job could be problematic. UN members will definitely ask Surakiart about Thaksin's rule and it would be interesting to hear what he has to say about his former boss. What will he tell them about the coup leaders?

Moreover, instead of letting the Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary make the announcement in regard to Surakiart's future, Sonthi made it a point to reconfirm Surakiart's candidacy by issuing a formal order as leader of the military council.

Ever since Surakiart was endorsed by Asean, the ambitious former deputy prime minister presented himself as the Asean candidate. He fooled himself into believing that the endorsement was a binding commitment, refusing to entertain the idea that perhaps he should step down from the race if and when it became clear that he would have no chance of winning.

The past two straw votes saw Surakiart finish a distance third, with three "discourage" votes coming from some of the 15-member UN Security Council (UNSC).

The argument that Surakiart cannot withdraw because he is an officially endorsed Asean candidate and that he would need the approval of the association's leaders to stand down is nonsense. Asean doesn't really care, and they would be more than willing to put forward an alternative candidate.

Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia are said to have expressed interest in fielding one of their own if and when Surakiart withdraws from the race. Besides, there are at least a few Thai nationals who are better qualified and who would stand a far better chance of winning than Surakiart. Hundreds of millions of baht in taxpayers' money have already been spent on Surakiart's expensive trips to foreign capitals to beg for support.

Sonthi and the generals owe it to the people to curb this type of wasteful spending.

Surakiart has run a very aggressive and lavish campaign over these past two years, to the point where it has put Thailand in an embarrassing position. Indeed, there has hardly been a dull moment in Surakiart's campaign as the work of spin-doctors has been complemented by half-truths and diplomatic strong-arm tactics, such as when Thai officials were dispatched to Sri Lanka to try to get Colombo to withdraw its candidate.

The upcoming straw vote tomorrow must be Surakiart's last chance. Surakiart must voluntarily stand aside and let Asean endorse another candidate if the UNSC denies him a passing grade. Failing that, the CDRM must spell out in plain language to Surakiart that he will not be allowed to continue to embarrass himself and Thailand in the eyes of the international community, and withdraw support for his candidacy.

The Nation

Surin gets backing for top UN job

The United States is poised to propose former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan as the next UN secretary-general to replace Kofi Annan later this year, an informed source said yesterday.

The message has been relayed to coup leader General Sonthi Boon-yaratglin but Thailand remained tight-lipped, taking a wait-and-see approach at least until after the next straw vote among the 15-member UN Security Council (UNSC) in New York.

According to the source, Washington felt Surin was a strong candidate.

"He is an Asian, a moderate Muslim and a former foreign minister who is well known and respected in the international community," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Washington believes China and the four other permanent members may also rate Surin as the best available choice for the position.

South Korea's candidate, Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, came first in the last two straw votes in the UNSC but Washington still thinks Surin is a better choice - because he is seen as a person better able to bridge the gap of misunderstanding between the West and the Muslim world.

Complicating the matter is the fact that Thailand already has a candidate - former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who has close ties with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Surakiart is currently in New York lobbying for the UN's top post.

Sonthi's decision to endorse Surakiart came as a surprise to many, considering the former foreign minister rushed to defend Thaksin last week. He was on CNN defending the PM as soldiers and tanks were taking over the capital.

Surakiart also has the endorsement of Asean. China, one of the UN Permanent-5 that has the power to veto any candidate, has "applauded" Asean's decision to support Surakiart. But at the same time, China also sent a letter to Sri Lanka informing them Beijing would take Colombo's candidacy seriously. The other Permanent-5 members are the US, Britain, France and Russia.

Moreover, Asean's support for Surakiart is questionable as other members are reportedly looking to field their own candidate if and when Surakiart - whose bid has been marred by controversy - withdraws from the race.

Another setback for Surakiart came after the coup, when China's ambassador to the UN told reporters: "I think definitely the situation in Thailand makes this issue more complicated."

The UN Permanent-5 is expected to go back to the drawing board after this weekend's straw vote. The last two straw votes among the 15 UN Security Council members had Surakiart coming a distant third.

But the source said: "There is a concern that Surakiart will not withdraw from the race so that another candidate from Asean can have a shot at the top post."

According to the UN Charter, "the Secretary General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council."

But in practice, the Council nominates only one candidate and then forwards the name to the UN General Assembly for endorsement. This makes the selection a "done deal" before it goes to the floor for endorsement.

According to a Bangkok-based diplomat from one of the Permanent-5 countries, selecting the next UN chief is an extremely difficult process to predict because it follows no formal procedure. The selected person is an outcome of diplomatic tussle and compromise between the five permanent members, he said.

In addition to Surakiart and Ban, other candidates include UN undersecretary-general for public affairs Shashi Tharoor of India; Jordan's UN Ambassador Prince Zeid al Hussein; former UN disarmament chief Jayantha Dhanapala of Sri Lanka; former Afghan Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani and Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the only non-Asian.

The Nation