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United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated in New York on Thursday that he would be ''deeply honoured'' to accept a second term if member states agreed.
He told mediapersons that he had been ''touched and gratified'' by numerous expressions of encouragement and support he received from many governments, particularly from the African group, whose permanent representatives had last week issued a public appeal for him to stay on.
He said that it was not an easy issue for him to consider.
''On the one hand, I have devoted most of my professional life to advancing values and work of the United Nations, which I firmly believe embodies humanity's highest aspirations. I am also sensitive to the call of duty. And I am inspired every day by sacrifices made by the staff of the United Nations - particularly those in the field, in peacekeeping missions or refugee camps - on behalf of the peoples we serve,'' he stated.
He went on to state that whatever he had achieved, or hoped to achieve, as secretary-general, ''can come about only thanks to their dedication''.
He said that he had to ask himself whether he was willing and able to do the job for five more years, with the same level of energy and commitment he had brought to it during the last four years.
''This has been a very demanding and challenging responsibility to carry, which inevitably has made exhausting claims on my family and my personal life. After careful thought, and close consultation with my family and my wife Nane, who has been my strongest support in times both good and bad, I am pleased to tell you that my answer is yes,'' he said.
He said there was a great deal still to be done to make the United Nations, an indispensable organisation, into the effective instrument humanity needs, in this new century, to fulfil the hopes for peace, development and human rights.
On the possibility that some Asian countries would want an Asian secretary-general, and on whether the United Nations would push for geographic representation or merit in selecting posts, Annan said that he had always tried to fill posts on merit. He added, "Going for merit does not mean that you cannot find them all around the world."
The secretary-general said he had spoken to Asian ambassadors, but not on the question of whether Asia would put up candidates or to plead for support. He said it would be normal for Asian candidates to present themselves, and he said he was not concerned about that possibility. "It's in the normal scheme of things," he said.
The secretary-general said that, during his visit last week to South Asia, he had discussed with the Indian and Pakistani Governments bilateral relations and the Kashmir issue.
He said he had called for both countries to resolve differences at the negotiating table in the spirit of the Lahore and Simla agreements.
He noted that UN resolutions on the issue were important, but were not self-implementing.
He said his trip was ''quick'' and he did not have time to see everyone he would have liked to meet.
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