UN's Ban Meets Merkel
December 7, 2006
Ban Ki Moon will take over from Kofi Annan as the world body's secretary general in January. In the face of the intimidating number of conflicts awaiting his leadership at the UN, Ban told German television his plan is to "get things done without so much fanfare."
He made it clear that for him, the conflict surrounding North Korea's nuclear arms program was high on the list of issues to be addressed more energetically in the years ahead. But he also drew attention to the importance of reaching a political solution to the Middle East dilemma.
Germany pledges support
Ban was also confident that Khartoum would eventually agree to a UN-mandated multilateral peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan.
Welcoming her guest in the Berlin chancellery, German government chief Angela Merkel said on Thursday Germany would actively support Ban in his ambitious challenges:
"We are firmly convinced that the United Nations has to remain the number-one voice representing the interests of the international community," she said. "And we're convinced that the world body has to be reformed to obtain more political clout again. The German government … will be cooperating closely with Ban Ki-Moon, particularly in the first half of 2007, when we'll be holding both the EU and G8 presidency."
Praise for Berlin
Without commenting on Germany's bid to secure a permanent seat in a restructured UN Security Council, Ban praised Berlin's efforts to bring more peace and stability to a number of regions.
Germany's active participation in UN projects "will continue to be crucially important for the United Nations and for myself," said Ban.
Ban also met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The two men are reported to also have spoken about the situation in Iraq.
'I can be tough'
Answering questions about his future policy style at the helm of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon said in Berlin that his proverbial calm should not be misinterpreted as a lack of commitment and strength.
"I have been, and I will be tough whenever it is necessary," he said.