Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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Ban Ki-moon and the US
The Secretary General: Ban Ki-moon
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Ban Ki-moon
Alone at the Top of the World (October 27, 2007)
This Newsweek article interviews the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about how he tackles some of the world’s most complex problems. Ban says it was initially difficult to get the Bush administration to cooperate on climate change, and that he does not understand the criticism that he is too close to the US. When asked about his feelings about the UN involvement in Iraq, he avoids giving a clear answer.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)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.
