President bids to be first female UN chief - Latavia

[WhiteTara]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1874281,00.html

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is to run for the post of UN secretary-general, the first woman to vie for the job.

Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania proposed her candidacy, bringing the number of candidates to replace Kofi Annan when his second five-year term expires on 31 December to six.

The 68-year-old former psychology professor faces an uphill struggle because most members states generally agreed the next secretary-general should come from Asia, part of a tradition to rotate the job between regions.

very short blurb

[Bucky]

1. Negroponte was mumbling something about skipping Asia for a woman

Do you think this woman could be Negroponte's stalking horse? Latvia is part of the "New Europe" Rummy talked about. And she'll probably pass muster with UK and Russia too. If this is their move, I wonder if (a) they can cut deals to maneuver around France and China's vetoes and (b) force her down the throats of the General Assembly--where Asia constitutes the largest voting bloc.

Frankly, I don't see China going for it, unless there's a very serious fix in.

[jaysunb]

2. Sorry...

that job has been reserved for, William Jefferson Clinton.