UN News

A little over one month ago, the pollster Frank Luntz released survey data suggesting that members of Congress could profit from making the United Nations into a "wedge issue" in the coming election. At the time, some pollsters questioned his conclusions, calling the work more of a PR driven poll designed to highlight negative sentiment than an objective research exercise.

"Americans show a strong preference for Congressional candidates who would seek to increase multilateral cooperation. Seventy-two percent say they would prefer candidates who believe that "the U.S. should do its share in efforts to solve international problems together with other countries." Much less popular are candidates who want the United States to "continue to be the preeminent world leader" (9% support) or to "withdraw from most efforts to solve international problems" (16%)." More

IHT: "Media mogul Ted Turner sought on Monday to impress upon young Americans the importance of the United Nations, saying those who would weaken the world body are "undermining our future."

"Applauding in acclamation, the United Nations General Assembly today appointed Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea as the world body's next Secretary-General, to succeed Kofi Annan when he steps down on 31 December." More

As a high school student, the young Ban placed first in an English speaking contest and won a trip to meet President Kennedy. It was this meeting, he has said, that inspired him to become a diplomat. Needless to say, Ban achieved that goal and more. If Monday's Security Council consensus holds, the South Korean Foreign Minister will become the word's eighth Secretary General. So who is Ban Ki-Moon? Below the fold is a list of useful resources that give you a sketch of the man and his work.

It's not yet official, but news outlets are reporting that it looks likely that South Korean Ban Ki-Moon will be the next Secretary General. In a straw poll yesterday, the South Korean Foreign Minister garnered 14 positive votes. Crucially, not one permanent Security Council member voted against him. Barring unforeseen circumstances, it looks increasingly likely that Ban will be the next Secretary General. But with the ink barely dry on the straw-poll, a predicable cadre of anti-UN agitators on the right are already finding reasons to brand Mr. Ban a villain. Asking "Will the UN pick another crook?" the Director of Research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies alleges that "soft bribery" likely contributed to Ban Ki-Moon's success. The Foundation's Alykhan Velshi somehow finds a correlation between Ban's success in Monday's straw poll and South Korea's recent decision to increase its foreign development aid. Specifically, Velshi points to South Korean aid to Ghana and Tanzania, two rotating members of the Security Council, as somehow corrupting the selection process in a way that guaranteed Ban's success.

Earlier this week, Reuters hosted a conversation with United Nations Foundation founder Ted Turner. Highlights from the transcript are below the fold. As you can see, the straight talking former CNN owner does not mince his words, and is astoundingly funny. See especially his tale of the $1 billion pledge. You'll enjoy.

"Countries will only overcome the "three great challenges" of development, security and human rights if they take action together, globally and coordinated through the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Tuesday in a wide-ranging speech to world leaders gathered for the opening of the General Assembly's annual debate. In his final address to the Assembly's general debate before he completes his term at the end of this year, Mr. Annan said the events of the past decade "have not resolved, but sharpened" the challenges of "an unjust world economy, world disorder, and widespread contempt for human rights and the rule of law."

Timothy Wirth, President of the United Nations Foundation, speaks to Jim Lehrer. AUDIO & TRANSCRIPT