Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Latvian president Vike-Freiberga bidding to become UN secretary general

Picking Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to become the next UN secretary general makes a lot of sense. Which is why the UN will pick someone else. But she's pursuing the job all the same.

Vike-Freiberga speaks five languages: English, German, French, Latvian, and Spanish.

She's lived as a refugee in Germany--in a displaced persons camp--after World War II.

And for a few years she lived in a Muslim country, Morocco, when it was still a French colony.

But the Russians don't like her: Relations between Russia and Latvia are chilly. China is looking for an Asian to for the position--no Asian has been secretary general in over three decades. Both Russian and China have full UN veto rights.

Still, Vike-Freiberga has a chance: No woman has ever been UN secretary general.

Related: News you probably missed: Latvian president addressed joint session of Congress

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