NEW DELHI: Presently the Under Secretary-General in the United Nations, Shashi Tharoor, has been selected as a candidate for the post of U.N. Secretary-General. The announcement of this position, which falls vacant after the retirement of Kofi Annan this year end, was made on Thursday.

Announcing Mr. Tharoor's candidature, External Affairs Ministry spokesman told presspersons that the U.N. official's "internationally acclaimed stature and experience" made him "eminently suitable" for this post. It is for the first time that an Indian will be contesting for the post of U.N. Secretary-General. According to South Block officials, getting Mr. Tharoor elected would be a "difficult task."

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiat Sathirathai, Sri Lankan diplomat Jayant Dhanapala and Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will also be contesting for this office.

Some permanent members of the U.N. Security Council believe that Mr. Goh, Singapore's former Prime Minister, would bring the necessary political weight and experience to the job. However, Mr. Goh's own views on whether he wishes to be a candidate or not are unknown.

Mr. Tharoor, who writes a fortnightly column for The Hindu, is the author of eight books, has a Ph.D from Tufts University in the United States and has been working for the U.N. since 1978. According to the External Affairs Ministry spokesman, other U.N. member states have already been informed about Mr. Tharoor's nomination.

The spokesman also stated that India strongly supported the principle of regional rotation under which the next Secretary-General should be from Asia. "The Asian Group within the U.N. had approached other Groups, seeking their support for this principle, and the African Group has already confirmed its support. We hope that other regional groups would also articulate support for the rotational principle. India also believes that a prospective U.N. Secretary-General should have impeccable credentials, be acceptable to the broadest possible membership of the U.N. and have a strong commitment to the reform of the U.N. and the interests of the developing countries," the spokesman said.

Officials also said that India had to announce Mr. Tharoor's candidature as the U.N. Security Council was scheduled to meet the nominees soon. The Security Council will discuss their views about the U.N., it's functioning and the need for reforms, with the candidates.

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