62 year old Ban Ki-Moon of south Korea took oaths as the 8th Secretary General of United Nations Organization on Dec 14th . He succeeds Koffi Annan whose term of office expires by the end of the year. Ban Ki-Moon is the first Asian to be elected to this post after a long interval of 35 years.

Ban Ki-moon has stated that his priority is to rebuild the image of the UNO and to build up the confidence of nations on this organization and that he would discharge his duties for the larger interest of the organization.

The diplomats from various countries praised the out going Secretary General Koffi Annan for his fearless efforts to alleviate poverty, establish peace, ensure security and for environmental health during his tenure of office for 10 years. The diplomats who had gathered gave Koffi Anan a standing ovation as a mark of respect.

Koffia Annan in his address expressed his frustration and appealed to America to give up its trend of acting unilaterally. He also appealed to America to cooperate to cope with the challenges faced by the world including those of Iraq.

He condemned America for committing violations of human rights under the pretext of fighting terrorism and that by doing so America has lost his place of pride to lead the world on the question of human rights.

Annan has confessed that the international community has failed in easing the tension and crisis in the Middle East. He expressed the view that the approach by the power blocs and their agenda to exercise dominance over countries has been an impediment in the efforts made by the UNO.

Thus, Koffi Anann gives expressions to his frustrations.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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