Secretary General Ka-who? A peek at the U.N.’s high-flying rumor mill
Let’s face it — there is a certain mystique surrounding the diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. You get the feeling that they give access to troves of privileged information straight from foreign dignitaries whose credibility is further bolstered by their exotic names and high-flying titles. In reality, those movers-and-shakers sometimes have no idea what they ...
Let's face it -- there is a certain mystique surrounding the diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. You get the feeling that they give access to troves of privileged information straight from foreign dignitaries whose credibility is further bolstered by their exotic names and high-flying titles.
Let’s face it — there is a certain mystique surrounding the diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. You get the feeling that they give access to troves of privileged information straight from foreign dignitaries whose credibility is further bolstered by their exotic names and high-flying titles.
In reality, those movers-and-shakers sometimes have no idea what they are talking about. Take a look at this cable, marked “confidential”: it recounts a June 25, 2006 meeting at the U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between U.S. officials and Yves Horent, at the time head of the European Commission humanitarian aid office.
Entitled “Next U.N. Secretary General predicted by UNHCR and EU Aid Commissioner,” the cable describes Horent passing on the latest rumor he had picked up on the much anticipated race for U.N. Secretary General. Both Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for refugees, and Louis Michel, European Union Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, believe that the next United Nations Secretary will be Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister,” the cable noted. “Horent noted that both officials, who visited refugee camps in western Tanzani June 15, were certain of Kasuri’s selection.”
The revelation must have come as something of a surprise to the Americans. Ban Ki moon, the South Korean foreign minister who ultimately won the race, was more than four months into an active campaign for the job, canvassing leaders of the key Security Council members. In a meeting with US official in Seoul the following month, Ban “reports no major opposition at this point” to his candidacy, though he fretted that his candidacy might have problems if the US didn’t soon show support.
The U.S. seemed to be quite happy with the prospects of Ban’s appointment, though in another cable released by WikiLeaks they did detail some potential “remaining hurdles” to a successful campaign. They included a serious deterioration in South Korea’ relations with North Korean, a possible campaign by Japan to thwart his candidacy, or the prospects of an Asian dark horse emerging with the power to win he blessing of the permanent five members.
As for Kasuri, the name didn’t come up.
Follow me on Twitter @columlynch
Colum Lynch was a staff writer at Foreign Policy between 2010 and 2022. Twitter: @columlynch
More from Foreign Policy
Is Cold War Inevitable?
A new biography of George Kennan, the father of containment, raises questions about whether the old Cold War—and the emerging one with China—could have been avoided.
So You Want to Buy an Ambassadorship
The United States is the only Western government that routinely rewards mega-donors with top diplomatic posts.
Can China Pull Off Its Charm Offensive?
Why Beijing’s foreign-policy reset will—or won’t—work out.
Turkey’s Problem Isn’t Sweden. It’s the United States.
Erdogan has focused on Stockholm’s stance toward Kurdish exile groups, but Ankara’s real demand is the end of U.S. support for Kurds in Syria.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
