Ban Ki-moon wins second U.N. poll

Foreign minister favorite for secretary-general post

Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon came in first in the second straw poll to predict the United Nation’s next secretary-general.

"We believe that the second straw poll has clarified Ban’s position as the front-runner," said a government official. The poll was held September 14.

However, it is too early to be confident. The straw polls differ from the main poll, in which permanent members of the U.N. Security Council use different-colored ballots, signifying their veto power. The straw polls function more as ’popularity votes.’

Nevertheless, officials in Seoul are undaunted. "We accept the result as a sign of trust from the international community of a South Korean candidate." Ban received 14 votes which ’encourage’ his taking the post and one which ’discourages’ it. The first straw poll, held July 24, saw Ban receive one negative vote, as well, but this recent poll upped his positive votes by two.

Ban’s runner-up in the straw poll, current U.N. Undersecretary Shashi Tharoor of India, received 10 ’encourage’ votes and two ’discourage’ votes, the same showing Tharoor received in the July 24 poll.

Jordanian envoy to the U.N. Prince Zeid al-Hussein, a new contender that entered the race last week, came in fourth with four ’discourage’ votes, an unexpected turn of events that is a favorable sign for Ban. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and U.N. disarmament chief Jayantha Dhanapala of Sri Lanka came in third and fifth, respectively.

Ban, however, has to overcome another obstacle to be the next U.N. secretary-general. Many observers believe that the one ’discourage’ vote did not come from any of the permanent members of the Security Council, but Ban needs to maintain his current lead by ensuring the approval of all of the five permanent members. Others point to Japan, one of the non-permanent members of the U.N. Security Council that has seen chilled relations with South Korea, as a possible variable. Finally, new candidates could upset Ban’s lead, as well.

A final straw poll is expected to be held on September 28.