Surakiart fights on for UN top post
Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai yesterday vowed to continue campaigning to become the next UN secretary-general regardless of Thailand's political uncertainty as he sees himself as a candidate endorsed by the 10member Asean over a year ago.
In an interview with Nation Mulitimedia Group's editor-in-chief Suthichai Yoon on the World Pulse (Cheepachorn Loke) television programme, Surakiart insisted he would be letting down the regional grouping, and other members of the international community if he dropped out of the race.
The former foreign minister said his bid represented the country, not just the administration of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
He claimed to have the support of 128 UN countries out of 191, but declined to say whether they would continue their endorsement until the final hurdle.
Suthichai grilled the academicturnedpolitician over his qualifications and questionable campaign tactics, pointing to recent interviews with former Thai ambassador to Washington, Krasit Piryomya, and former Thai Representative to the UN, Asda Jayanama, both of whom urged the government to reconsider the bid.
Surakiart said Thailand has close ties with all UN permanent five members and suggested he would not quit until he gets a frank answer from them to step down.
"We can wait until the last minute to accept the outcome but it will cost us tens of millions of baht," Krasit told Suthichai in a separate interview.
The programme will be broadcast on Channel 9, 10pm tonight.
Krasit made headlines recently after a telex signed by him was sent to the Foreign Ministry in September urging the government to reconsider Surakiart's bid because he does not have US support.
"I believe it's very likely Khun Surakiart won't make it. It has nothing to do with whether I like Khun Surakiart or dislike Khun Surakiart," Krasit said in the interview aired last night.
The TV programme, which was aired on Channel 9 TV last night, quoted Asda questioning Surakiart's qualifications and campaign tactics, saying they were "unacceptable".
Asda accused Surakiart of trying to obstruct the appointment of former World Trade Organisation chief Supachai Panichpakdi as the secretarygeneral of UNCTAD as it would lessen his chances as the next chief of the world body.
Surakiart denied the allegations.
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