Analysis: Clinton eyes U.N. post

[absolutezero]

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041020-025642-9944r.htm

<snip>
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.
</snip>

Its from UPI and the Washington Times. I've heard a lot of rumors about this, if it's true then maybe the world isn't so screwed after all, imagine what could happen with this.

[sampsonblk]

1. Great possibilities if it happens

I am all for it.

[Paulie]

2. I sent him that idea

in a wellwish note at his Library while he was under the knife.

I hope I can get a job on his staff. I'll monitor DU for him. LOL

[enki23]

3. well, the "end times" book industry will make a killing.

and use of the word "antichrist" in everyday conversation will go up at least ten-thousand percent.

[Minstrel Boy]

4. it'll never happen.

Nor should it.

An American - an ex-president at that - will never be secretary-general. Nor will a citizen of any great power. (And today's America is well into the "hyper-power" zone.)

[Maple]

5. Of course it could happen

No reason not to.

Unless he gets vetoed by another member of security council, it's certainly possible.

And some Americans are certainly into the 'hype' zone.

Hyper power is quite another matter. Ask Iraq.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. This is from the Moonie Times.

Don't be fooled into thinking this report is positive news. The WaTimes is as freeper a rag as there is, and they'd just love for their freeper base to think the evil demon Bill Clinton will head up that evil entity the U.N. It's not likely to happen anyhow, considering how the U.N. thinks the U.S. sucks and probably wouldn't give the position to an American. Maybe Bill ccould represent the U.S. at the U.N., though.

[bluestateguy]

7. My opinions are mixed

I'm sure he'd do a fine job, but should the Secretary General be an American? It's not like this is a country known for its objectiveity and neutrality. The Secretary General must be seen as an impartial broker for peace, not representing any nation, but the United Nations and the family of nations. I'm not so sure that all of the world would be able to see an American president in that role. I can, but at a time when we are trying to bring North Korea closer to the international community, I'm not so sure that an ex-American president should represent the UN.

On a separate issue, if it were up to me the UN would located in Switzerland. I know our CIA and NSA likes to have the UN in NYC to spy on the ambassadors, but if the UN is truly a neutral body it should be located in a neutral country.

And talk about valuable real estate for New York!

[The Flaming Red Head]

20. Switzerland is neutral?

in what parallel universe is that true.

[FuzzyHamster]

8. I think it's Asia's turn for the seat

IIRC, ASEAN has nominated a guy from Thailand... it then depends on what the other Asian nations think.

[DemFromMem]

9. This would slam the door on a Hilary run any time soon

There would be an obvious conflict of interest.

[Dogmudgeon]

10. It's bullshit

No permanent member of the Security Council can have a sitting Secretary General. Currently, that excludes the USA, Great Britain, France, Russia, and (IIRC) China (Beijing).

Every time some right-wing rag wants to scare their readership, they bring up a patently false story like this one.

Personally, I'd like to see Paul Hewson (better known as Bono) get the post.

--bkl

[Rowdyboy]

15. Thank you for injecting a little sanity in this thread...

God knows, I'd love to see Clinton as Sec Gen off the Un but it is not LEGALLY POSSIBLE. Dream all you want, but permanent members of the Security Council are FORBIDDEN from serving as Secretary General.

[aldian159]

21. Link?

I tired digging through the Charter to find such information, but I couldn't, namely due to the 50 or so articles that got real boring real fast.

Thanks

[bling bling]

11. My first thought was, nah.

That's not the protocol/policy for that position. Now I'm starting to think maybe it's worth a shot to bypass protocol and see what Clinton could do.

[Merlin]

12. EXCUSE ME! Ahem.... I will be glad to accept the credit for this.

Just kidding.

But really, I did call for this right here on DU a few years ago. The support for it was overwhelming.

Clinton will make the greatest Sec. Gen. in history. He will bring that organization alive. And he'll probably get unanimous support from around the world.

He was born for that job. He can make the UN into what it was always meant to be.

[Dem2theMax]

13. I heard this on Olbermann I think. Anyway, look at it this way.

Heaven forbid, I repeat, HEAVEN FORBID that * steals four more years,

and Clinton DOES get the UN post --- I don't need to say any more. Use your imaginations. I roared with laughter when Olbermann pointed this out. * would have to play with Big Dawg. And all the freepers would have to watch. :evilgrin:

Now I don't want * stealing 4 more years. His time is up in less than 2 weeks. But the thought of BILL CLINTON back in the mix and * having to work with him -- lmao!

[quaker bill]

14. Beat me to it

I agree * and Clinton having to work together, what a hoot!

Just as good, Kerry in the Whitehouse and Clinton at the UN. I can just see the freeper heads exploding. They would be spinning totally out of control.

However, Kerry and Clinton working together could actually make some serious headway on restoring alliances and undoing the Bush damage. I would love to see it.

[Dem2theMax]

28. Amen to Kerry and Clinton working together.

Just the thought brings a HUGE smile to my face. Think of all they could and would accomplish together. For the betterment of ALL people. Unlike * pandering to his base. Ick.
Just saying ' *'s base' makes me want to :puke:

So I'll just keep thinking about Kerry and Clinton. Kerry and Clinton. :) :) :)

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[debatepro]

16. that would be sweet

bitter justice

[debatepro]

17. Claim

"If Democratic candidate, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., wins on Nov. 2 the prospect of Clinton as secretary-general won't exactly be welcome either, but Kerry would find it much harder -- if not impossible -- to go against it."


This is just a claim. There is no data in the article to back it up. Poor journalism

[marshall]

18. Citizenship issues

Would Clinton be able to renounce his US citizenship and accept citizenship from a willing third world country in order to be eligible for the post? I don't know how the rule reads. Is it that they must not have been born in a permament member country, cannot have ever been a citizen of one, or what?

[robbedvoter]

19. Moonie Times - putting all their hates in one basket: UN & Xclintoon

Traditionally, Sec gens come from small countries - so as not to exert undue influence

[Robeson]

26. Exactly what I said on another thread....

...This is coming from two sources of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon. That discredits this rumor in its tracks. Its MOONIE news. Yes, it would be great. It would be great if I struck a gold ore vein in my back yard, too. But it ain't gonna happen. As you said Sec. Gen. come from "small" countries. Its pretty mucn an unspoken tradition so that small countries feel that they have influence.

[GarySeven]

22. I hate to put a damper on all this, but ...

If you folks don't see Rove's fingerprints all over this announcement, you're nuts. Clinton's aides obviously and unwittingly gave information to Rove's henchmen who have now announced this to whip up the conservative base. Already today Neal Boortz is saying this is a secret plan to make Clinton president of the world, since under Kerry the U.N. will reign over the U.S. The "October Surprise" isn't one surprise, but a series of small announcements like this to incrementally keep the freepers in a frenzy.

[davidinalameda]

23. can think of worse people to be "president of the world"

like Bush

he's not fit to be president of the Rotary Club

no offense to any Rotary Club members on here

[robbedvoter]

24. Not to people who equate "world" with hell.

O agree with Gary's assessment. Clinton is red meat to their base - they are getting them by their hatreds.

[demokatgurrl]

25. I'm not even sure I believe he has "set his sights" on it-

I'll believe it when I hear it from him or Kerry. Anyway, I like Clinton exactly where he is- a free agent, runnign his foundation, doing good in Africa and elsewhere and speaking out. I hope he doesn't get buried in some powerless U.N. job.

[elemnopee]

27. distraction

Drudge had it up yesterday, It's a distraction from the terrible week in Iraq