Incoming U.N. Chief Says He's a Bridge Builder

Dec. 24, 2006 — -- "This Week" traveled to New York to meet the man about to replace U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. South Korean diplomat Ban Ki-Moon takes charge next week. He won the job with the strong backing of the Bush administration, and he hopes to improve the U.N.'s battered image in America. We sat down for this exclusive interview in the hall of the General Assembly.

George Stephanopoulos, "This Week" anchor: All of the crises in the world are debated in this hall. Which one do you hope to have the most personal impact on?

Ban Ki-Moon: I'm very much humbled by all challenges lying before me when I begin my duties as secretary-general of the United Nations. We are facing so many issues, conventional and non-conventional. Now, Middle East, situation in Lebanon and crisis in Darfur will be two of my most important agendas, which I have to deal with.

Stephanopoulos: Let me ask you about Darfur. Do you believe genocide is going on there now?

Ban: It is unacceptable to let this continuing deterioration of human rights violations and killings continue. International community must do something. Diplomatic activities have been going on.

Stephanopoulos: Except the Sudanese government has resisted these activities for a long time. I was speaking with British Prime Minister Tony Blair a couple of weeks ago. He said that in the new year we might have to consider going beyond diplomacy.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair [on tape]: If, in the next weeks and next couple of months or so, the Sudanese government are not prepared to agree to the U.N. plan, then we've got to move to sanctions and we've got to move to tougher action. And I think we should certainly consider the option of a no-fly zone to help people in Darfur.

Ban: Resolving all these issues through peaceful means, through dialogue, is most desirable one before we can think of another measures to resolve this issue.

Stephanopoulos: The U.N. is also seized right now by the issue of the Iranian nuclear program. Do you really believe that a U.N. sanctions resolution can stop the Iranians from pursuing a nuclear program that they seem to believe is in their national interest?

Ban: The Iranian nuclear issue has much great implications on regional and global issues. I urge the Iranian government authorities to engage in the negotiation with the European Union and three.

Stephanopoulos: You also said because of your background in the South Korean Foreign Ministry, as South Korean foreign minister, you're better positioned than any other U.N. secretary-general to deal with the North Korean nuclear program. Then, I wonder if that's true. I wonder if the North Koreans might think instead that you can't be an honest broker on this issue.

Ban: I have gained a deeper insight as well as the experience in dealing with the North Korean nuclear issue during the last at least 16 years. Since the beginning of this North Korean nuclear issue, I have participated myself in the negotiation with North Korean authorities.

Stephanopoulos: Are you prepared to meet with Kim Jong Il personally?

Ban: I will first see the development of this situation on the Korean peninsula, as well as the progress of six-party process. And after that, with the close coordination with the members concerned, I will take my own initiative, including my own visit to North Korea.

Stephanopoulos: Let me ask you about Iraq. Do you agree with the recent report by the Baker-Hamilton commission in the United States that the situation is grave and deteriorating? And is there anything now-- The U.N. has been reduced to such a tiny presence, is there anything now the U.N. can do to turn that around?

Ban: We are very concerned about deteriorating situation in Iraq. The most important thing at this time is that we need to help Iraqi people and government so that they can enjoy genuine freedom and economic prosperity.

Stephanopoulos: It seems like they're using the freedom they have right now to fight each other.

Ban: This is very much worrisome, that there is a secular violence continuing. And that is why international community, led by the MNF, should do more work.

Stephanopoulos: Your predecessor, Secretary-General Annan, believes the original United States invasion of Iraq was illegal under the U.N. charter.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan [on tape]: I have stated clearly that it was not in conformity with the Security Council, with the U.N. charter.

Question [on tape]: It was illegal?

Annan [on tape]: Yes, if you wish.

Stephanopoulos: Do you agree?

Ban: What is important at this time is the future of Iraq -- the future of the Iraqi people.

Stephanopoulos: I understand that. But do you believe the invasion was illegal?

Ban: This was the discussion which has already passed, and I, as the new secretary-general, will do my best efforts to help the Iraqi people.

Stephanopoulos: You're showing me why the South Korean president named you the slippery eel. You don't answer the questions you don't want to answer.

Ban: Well, this nickname was given because I am a very media-friendly person.

Stephanopoulos: You may be media-friendly, but elusive when you need to be. You've been described as a man with no enemies. But that's not necessarily a virtue, is it?

Ban: Well, I have been trying to myself to be a man of integrity and a man to be trusted by other people. And I have also cared for others before I would take care of my own convenience or my own benefit.

Stephanopoulos: Are you prepared to make enemies as secretary-general?

Ban: They should know that whenever I was faced with challenges, and whenever it was necessary, I have made very decisive decisions, all the time.

Stephanopoulos: You're also taking office at a time when the United Nations-- Americans have soured on the United Nations. What can you say specifically to the American public who now believes in greater numbers that the United Nations is corrupt, is ineffective and in some ways is irrelevant?

Ban: And that is exactly why during my campaign process and as one of my priorities is that to regain trust of international community and from major stakeholders. As the secretary general, I will try my best efforts to make secretariat management the highest level of ethics, of professionalism, accountability and transparent. I think I can play a role as a harmonizer and bridge builder.

Stephanopoulos: Is it true you decided to become a diplomat after meeting John F. Kennedy as a young man?

Ban: Yes, I did. It was a unique opportunity for me as an 18-year-old high school boy from South Korea, whose people were very poor at that time. I think at the time that, "What should I do in the future to work for my people and for my government, for my country?" I do not remember all exactly, because it happened 44 years ago. But I still keep a very historic photograph taken with President Kennedy.

Stephanopoulos: In looking forward 10 years when, if all goes well, you'll be ending your tenure as U.N. secretary-general, what would you like the world to say about that tenure?

Ban: I would like to be a secretary-general, remembered as a secretary general who has, first of all, devoted his best efforts and determinations to make United Nations reborn, gaining trust and confidence from international community; and also who has contributed to the peace and stability; also, a balanced, mutual prosperity in the world.

Stephanopoulos: Good luck with your mission. Thank you very much.

Ban: Thank you very much. It has been a great pleasure.