Click to play videoNew York: Shashi Tharoor has pulled out of the race for the UN Secretary General after South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon emerged the clear favourite to succeed Kofi Annan after the fourth straw poll.
Tharoor actually gained in Monday's straw poll getting 10 positive votes, up from eight on Friday. But he also had three negatives, and as the latest poll had colour-coded ballots for the five permanent members, it was clear that one of the negatives was virtually a veto.
South Korean candidate Ban Ki-Moon received 14 encouragements and one no opinion despite recent allegations that his campaign had used financial aid to win votes.
China's Ambassador to the UN Wang Guangya says, “It is quite clear from today's straw poll that Minister Ban Ki-Moon is the candidate the Security Council will recommend to the General Assembly.”
The race could well be formally sealed on Monday unless a surprise candidate emerges, an unlikely event.
US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton says, “It's never over until it's over which is one reason why we wanted to move to a formal vote because we should bring this decision-making process as soon as we can. We have agreed on Monday the 9th, as I said we'll confirm that tomorrow morning and I expect a recommendation to the General Assembly, pursuant to the Charter, by then.”
Tharoor, who was Ban's closest competitor, was ready with his concession speech after the vote.
Tharoor says, “It's a great honour and a great responsibility to be Secretary General, and I wish Mr Ban every success in that task.”
Tharoor, for now, will continue as Under-Secretary General for Communications and Information at the UN though he is unlikely to stay on after Ban takes over next January.
South Korean candidate Ban Ki-Moon is almost certain to be the next Secretary General of the United Nations. Shashi Tharoor's campaign to succeed his boss, Kofi Annan, has come to an end on a disappointing day for Tharoor himself and for the Indian Government.
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