Mbeki Wants Oau Chief To Head Un

I understand that Boutros Boutros Ghali has agreed to step down...in that event, if there is an African candidate, then we think that Salim A Salim, the current secretary-general of the OAU would be a very good candidate, Mbeki said.

The deputy president, who is widely believed to be the unofficial successor to President Nelson Mandela, said in his talks with the Indian leadership the future of the non-aligned movement and the restructuring of the United Nations played an important part. The world is changing and we need to see how NAM plays a useful and constructive role, Mbeki said.

 

His comments acquire significance since South Africa, currently an observer of NAM, is scheduled to play host to the organisation next year.

Analysts say that South Africa, as one of the leading players in the African continent, could well team up with traditional leaders of the movement like India to revive and reinvigorate a movement that seems to have lost its bearing in the post-Cold War era. Mbeki said both countries had agreed that the restructuring of the Security Council was an important item on the world agenda and that developing countries should form an integral part of that body. India would also not seek to impose itself on other countries, but would seek to take others along, Mbeki said.

He also said that on the Indian Ocean Rim initiative, South Africa believed the initiative was important for all rim nations, at the governmental and non-governmental level, to cooperate in expanding the zone of economic interaction.

The deputy president, who was honoured by an honorary doctorate by Jwahar Lal University, said he was very moved by the warm response given to him by the Indian leadership and the people. There are no conflicts between us, he said.