By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, June 16 -- When Ban Ki-moon ten days ago announced he wanted a second term as UN Secretary General, he went to meet behind closed doors with the UN's Regional Groups. As first reported by Inner City Press on June 7, in the Latin American and Caribbean States group, called GRULAC, at least five countries said they needed more time.
Nevertheless it was announced that the Security Council would meet on June 16 to recommend Ban for a second term. Ban's Spokesperson's Office on June 15 issued a schedule with re-appointment on the Council's agenda.
But early on June 16, this changed. Ban's Spokesperson's Office put out another announcement, that only the Council's “Program of Work” would be considered on June 16.
Sources tell Inner City Press this is because GRULAC has still not endorsed Ban for a second term. Ban has spend the last five days in Latin America. But as one source put it, “look at his record, especially in Latin America.”
In typical UN fashion, the source pointed first to Ban's appointments, or doling out of top posts. Asked about Ban's recent appointment of Mariano Ferandez, a Chilean to head up the UN's Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), another source said “that was only for Bachelet.” The Haitian government, it's said, preferred a Trinidadian candidate. “What has Bachelet accomplished for Ban?” the source asked.
(Inner City Press notes that Bachelet's UN Women office has responded to questions about allegations of rape by UN peacekeepers in South Kordofan in Sudan, by asking the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the highest level.)
More generally as one GRULAC source told Inner City Press, “Ban has not focused on Latin America enough. We want a commitment that this would change in a second term.” Watch this site.
