With Iraq & the Tsunami Disaster placing even greater importance on the
UNITED NATIONS, the rumors of Clinton's aspirations become more interesting. It is rumored that Annan may leave his post before his term expires in 2007, because of the
Oil For Food Scandal. If he does, it might get interesting...
- Is it even possible for him to be Secretary General?
- Does President Clinton want the position?
- How would the world react?
- Would Bush oppose it?
Is It Possible?
Two Procedural problems present themselves when discussing the possibility of Clinton becoming the head of the
UN. One is that typically no person coming from a permanent member of the
Security Council has ever become Secretary General. Add to that, there has never been a Secretary General from North America, let alone the United States. However, this is an unwritten rule. The other procedural problem is that the position usually rotates by region. Buotros Buotros Gali came from the Middle-East, then Kofi Annan from Africa, making
Asia the next region to be considered for a candidate. However just like the Security Council rule, it isn't set in stone. It has been reported that many countries would drop objections, if Clinton was the candidate.
Is President Clinton Interested In The Job?
All public responses have been that he isn't interested in it, even though these rumors have persisted for almost two years. However UPI, just this last October, quoted sources close to Clinton saying he is interested...
Washington, DC, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has set his sights on becoming U.N. secretary-general. A Clinton insider and a senior U.N. source have told United Press International the 56-year-old former president would like to be named leader of the world body when Kofi Annan's term ends early in 2006.
"He definitely wants to do it," the Clinton insider said this week...
The other thing to consider is whether Clinton would want the position, if it conflicted with Hillary's run for the Presidency in 2008. Clinton would be the head of an Orginization that is despised by a significant percentage of the population in many of the
Red States. The GOP would run ads against her saying that she would turn foreign policy over to her husband & make the U.S. Military wear Blue Berets around the world.
Would the World Support Him Taking The Position?
By all accounts a Clinton candidacy would receive good support. For one, it would raise the prestige of the United Nations. Clinton could bring instant media attention to issues. Another reason it might work for other members is the fact that they need money to rebuild the over fifty year old U.N. Secretariat Building. They may think that an American Secretary General might make it easier to get American Funding for the United Nations. Clinton might also be seen as an effective political voice against Bush. They may think that giving Clinton a title & position may make him able to sway public opinion in the United States. Which brings us to the next question...
Would the Bush Administration Try To Block His Candidacy?
Could they block it? I don't know. I would think they could bribe enough countries to make it impossible, but who knows? It would be good politics with the Republican base. The same people that came up with "Freedom Fries" would love it if they could nail two of their enemies at the same time, Clinton & the United Nations. However, I don't know whether it would be good politics with the public at large. Plus, the view of the United States in the world is shitty enough right now. If Bush plotted to stop a Clinton appointment, it would just be another load of straws on the camel's back...