ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Vol. 41 - No 29
Columns - Inside the glass house

Ban Ki-moon shows his ‘slippery eel’ skills

By Thalif Deen at the united nations

NEW YORK - When Ban Ki-moon of South Korea addressed a news conference immediately after taking his oath of office as the new UN Secretary-General, he admitted that his country's news media have dubbed him "the slippery eel."

Ban Ki-Moon(R-facing camera) of South Korea is sworn in as United Nations Secretary General by General Assembly President Haya Rashad al-Khalifa(Back to camera) of Bahrain on Thursday at UN headquarters in New York. Ban pledged to build on the legacy of the incumbent, Kofi Annan. AFP

And according to the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms, a "slippery eel" is someone who is "dishonest and good at NOT answering questions."

But Ban put a more positive spin on the phrase last week pointing out that he was called a slippery eel because he was "too charming" for the press corps to be able to catch him — possibly off-guard — even on the most political sensitive issues of the day.

"That nickname was given because I was very friendly with the media. You should understand that," the 62-year-old former South Korean foreign minister declared to a rather sceptical UN press corps, described mostly as journalistic sharks on a perpetual feeding frenzy out for blood.

The outgoing Secretary-General Kofi Annan was never spared by the media — particularly over the purchase of a duty-free Mercedes Benz by his son Kojo, who was not entitled to that privilege. At virtually every news conference, Annan was on the firing line for his son's indiscretion over the Mercedes Benz.

At the annual UN Correspondents' Association ball last week, Annan couldn't resist the temptation of taking a dig at the UN press corps when he told them — amidst laughter — that his only advice to the incoming Ban Ki-moon is: "Don't ever buy a Mercedes Benz." The South Korean was told to stick to his own home-made vehicle: a Hyundai.

But Ban, however, said that he can be "a pretty straight shooter when I need to".

"And my relationship with the media will be crucial to my efforts to make the mission of the UN better known, and better understood, by people around the world," he told reporters.

Living up to his reputation among the Korean press corps, Ban deftly manoeuvred out of some of the tough questions fired at him at the UN news conference last week. It was said of a former UN Secretary-General that even if he fell off a boat, he wouldn't make waves.

Ban would perhaps follow in that tradition — judging by his performance. And the new Secretary-General is certainly not someone who would provide headline-grabbing statements — and he proved it at the news conference.

Asked for his views on some of the world's political hot spots such as Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, North Korea and Darfur (in Sudan), his responses were standard.

"Like everybody, I am very concerned, very much concerned about all these deteriorating situations in the Middle East and elsewhere, in Africa. The Middle East question is of course the most serious issue with which we must deal. These have long been issues which have not been resolved. I will put priority on this issue."

"I think the core of the Middle East questions lies in the relationship between Israel and Palestine authorities. It would be desirable to encourage, for the international community and leaders of the region to encourage the parties concerned to continue their negotiations."

Well, what else is new?

Asked about Annan's criticism of the US last week over its policy of bilateralism over multilateralism, Ban ducked the question once again: "That, I think, was his own personal assessment and insight, which he gained during his tenure."

Question: "You mentioned both Iraq and Lebanon as parts of the priority list that you will have in mind. Will you take the United Nations actively back into Iraq? And will the establishment of the international tribunal to try those involved in the political assassinations in Lebanon be something you will uphold and work for actively and proactively?"

Ban: "For the Iraqi situation, again, the whole international community is very much concerned about the inability on the part of the Iraqi Government, as well as other members of the Multi-National Force (MNF), to secure peace and security politically and socially. What is important at this time is that the United Nations and the whole international community should work together and use collective wisdom and efforts to help the Iraqi people and Government to ensure political and social stability there so that they can enjoy genuine freedom and peace. That is why I think the United Nations should closely cooperate with the members of the MNF and other members of the international community."

Still, he faltered once when a Canadian reporter asked a question in French, that was beyond Ban's comprehension. As far as the French are concerned this is an unpardonable sin because every UN Secretary-General has to be fluent in the French language.

Ban (interpretation into English to a question in French): "I was not able to follow everything you said (Ban spoke in English) because there was some duplication of language. If you could speak (interpretation from French ) slowly, in French, I will do my best, but it is very difficult for me, off the cuff, to reply in French."

However, the new Secretary-General was very firm in pledging to set "the highest ethical standards" in a world body which has come under fire for mismanagement, waste and malfeasance.

"The good name of the United Nations is one of its most valuable assets — but also one of its most vulnerable," Ban told delegates.

He said one of his core tasks would be to "breathe new life and inject renewed confidence into the sometimes weary (U.N.) secretariat." Conveying a personal note, Ban told the General Assembly: "I assure you that I will lead you by example."

 
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