Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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Biographies and Profiles
The Secretary General: Ban Ki-moon
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Ban Ki-moon
Articles
2008 | 2007 | 2006 2008
UN’s Ban Ki-moon Emerges as Dogged Reformer (March 12, 2008)
This Christian Science Monitor article looks at UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s achievements during his first fifteen months in office. From the beginning, Ban has prioritized climate change, Darfur and UN Reform. Even though progress has been slow, the article indicates that the Secretary General has shown great persistence when it comes to these issues. In 2008, Ban is focusing partly on the problem of water in the world, urging that the UN address this matter before it causes calamities or war.2007
Under UN Chief, Koreans in Key Posts (October 21, 2007)
After Ban Ki-Moon became Secretary General in 2007, the number of South-Korean UN staff members rose from 54 to 66. Some find Ban guilty of favoritism. Are these Korean officials really appointed for their high qualifications, like the Secretary General says in his defense? Or is this his way of thanking the Korean government and UN mission for supporting his ascent to the job? (Washington Post)“Sometimes You Really Need to Speak Up” (October 7, 2007)
From the beginning of his term, NGOs criticized UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for not being outspoken enough. But now Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International praise the Secretary General for his strong words on Myanmar, calling the junta’s attack on monks and civilians “abhorrent and unacceptable.” Furthermore, Ban now supports a moratorium on capital punishment, something he would not do earlier. (Independent Online)UN Chief's Dealings with US Draw Fire (September 24, 2007)
Human rights groups, governments and UN officials criticize UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for his close relationship with Washington and for supporting pro-US decisions. For example, Ban opposed a US withdrawal from Iraq and committed to an increased UN presence in the country. The Secretary General defends his decisions, calling them pragmatic and claims he prefers to work behind the scenes, rather than being a public moral figure. (Washington Post)Time for Ban to Start Speaking Up and Speaking Out (July 16, 2007)
This Guardian article criticizes UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for being too careful with his negotiations and lacking the foresight to successfully perform his duties. Most of the world still looks to the UN to resolve major conflicts and issues such as climate change. However, the author argues that Ban ignores human rights and is quiet on the topic of climate change. Also, Ban’s appointment of inexperienced South Koreans to his UN staff does not help him. The author urges Ban to “speak up and speak out” if he hopes to achieve any success during his tenure.Ban Ki-moon and Washington (July 13, 2007)
In this Washington Post column, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon discusses the role of climate change behind the conflict in Darfur. Ban asserts that underneath the sociopolitical unrest, the real reason for the conflict is an ecological crisis. Since the 1980s, a sharp temperature rise in the Indian Ocean has caused a 40 per cent drop in Sub-Saharan Africa precipitation levels. The resulting water shortage triggered the violence between black farmers and Arab nomads in Darfur. Ban proposes economic development as the solution and urges UN member states to work in conjunction with Khartoum, humanitarian agencies and NGOs to cater to Darfur’s urgent needs.New Man at UN Has Made Friends - But Does He Have the Influence? (July 12, 2007)
This Times article examines Ban Ki-moon’s friendly and ethical, yet apparently lenient and indecisive, nature as the UN Secretary General. Ban maintains that he has achieved success by calling a meeting to discuss climate change in September 2007, forming the special tribunal in Lebanon, and convincing Sudan to allow peacekeeping forces. However, according to the article, Ban mostly complies with US demands and has little influence over any of his decisions. For example, the appointment of Tony Blair as the Quartet’s Representative to the Middle East was a US decision, and not a success story for Ban.Ban Ki Whom? (June 27, 2007)
Ian Williams reviews the performance of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his first six months in office. Williams compares Ban’s relationships with the US and Middle East to those maintained by his predecessors Kofi Annan and Boutros Boutros-Ghali. According to the article, Ban’s support for the International Criminal Court and the death penalty moratorium contrasts with his efforts to improve UN-US relations. (Foreign Policy In Focus)Dilemma for UN in Expanding Iraq Presence? (June 12, 2007)
In his quarterly report to the Security Council, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon explores ways the UN could expand its role in Iraq. The UN has had a minimal presence in Iraq since the 2003 bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad. Critics warn that an increased UN presence would assimilate the organization with the US occupation, as the UN depends on Coalition forces for its security. (IraqSlogger)New Secretary General Is Still Finding His Footing at the UN (April 9, 2007)
This Los Angeles Times piece analyzes UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s transition into office in an atmosphere of strong distrust among Member States. Ban’s “cryptic decision-making style” drew criticism from a large number of diplomats, who decried the UN chief’s failure to consult with their delegations about his reform plans. As a newcomer trying to establish himself as a competent and insightful leader, Ban must seek to engage with the organization as a whole and, in particular, those “who know the [UN] system.”“I Want to Play a Harmonizer’s Role” (March 6, 2007)
Among his objectives as UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon tells Deutsche Welle that he aims to “bridge the gap” between the rich, powerful member states and the poor countries with less clout. Ban stresses the need for trust and cooperation within the United Nations to enable the organization to more effectively address issues such as development, climate change and conflicts around the world.2006
“Ban Has Not Developed Visions” (October 10, 2006)
In this interview with Deutsche Welle, Geneva-based reporter Andreas Zumach acknowledges Ban Ki-moon’s strengths as a mediator but says the South Korean foreign minister and UN Secretary General nominee “has never shown any political convictions.” Like many other skeptics, Zumach expresses concern that Ban’s close alignment with the US and his strong reluctance to criticize China might hinder him from independently and effectively leading the UN. Overlooking the considerable lead Ban had over the other contenders in the bid to succeed UN chief Kofi Annan, Zumach concludes that out of all the candidates, the soft-spoken South Korean “fits the interests of Washington and Beijing most.”Can This Guy Run The UN? (October 8, 2006)
According to this Time article, the successful candidate in the bid for the top UN job “must be a person who offends no one.” But some UN observers see this attribute as a sign of weakness and believe that such a candidate would fail to take a leadership role in an international crisis. Skeptics wonder if Ban Ki-moon, the soft-spoken South Korean diplomat set to succeed UN chief Kofi Annan in 2007, will manage to effectively assert himself among powers such as the US and China.From Annan to Ban, a Korean Surprise (October 6, 2006)
This piece from the Century Foundation compares the legacy of outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to US expectations of his likely successor, South Korea’s Ban Ki-moon. Critics say that Washington supports Ban mainly because, unlike Annan, he “is not an accomplished public speaker,” and his quiet demeanor suggests he will not openly challenge US policies. In addition, conservative US politicians hope that Ban will promote free trade, instead of development aid, as the means to eliminate poverty.UN Low-Key Leader for High-Anxiety Times (October 5, 2006)
Though skeptics have hastily dismissed South Korea’s Ban Ki-moon as “a puppet who would dance to strings pulled by Washington,” the author of this MaximsNews article has more faith in the man hoping to succeed UN chief Kofi Annan. While the “Secretary General’s key relationship is with Washington,” the author points out the importance of support from other powers like China and Russia. The challenge still remains for the low-key Ban to assert himself as an impartial mediator at the UN’s helm.Over to You, Ban Ki-moon (October 4, 2006)
The author of this International Herald Tribune piece outlines the challenges facing the next UN Secretary General, specifically directing his comments to the leading candidate – South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon. Though welcoming Ban’s vow to pursue divisive US-driven reforms at the UN, the author encourages him to boost cooperation within the world body. Furthermore, as the article concludes, Ban’s effectiveness as UN chief will depend largely on whether or not member states give him “a fair chance” and support his transition into the job.
