UN chief criticised in secret report by Norwegian envoy

By Harvey Morris at the United Nations

Published: August 21 2009 03:00 | Last updated: August 21 2009 03:00

A highly critical secret report on Ban Ki-moon's leadership of the United Nations by a senior Norwegian diplomat has cast doubt on a planned visit by the UN secretary-general to one of the world body's biggest donors.

A report to Norway's foreign ministry by Mona Juul, number two at Norway's UN mission in New York, describes Mr Ban as bland, weak and lacking in charisma, according to a text published in the Norwegian press.

"At a time when solutions by the UN and multilateral agencies are more necessary than ever to resolve global conflicts, Ban and the UN are conspicuous in their absence," the leaked report said.

The Norwegian foreign ministry declined to comment on the letter when it first emerged yesterday but quoted Jonas Gahr Stoere, foreign minister, as having described Mr Ban as "hardworking" and "attentive".

Ms Juul was yesterday on holiday in Norway with her husband, Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN's former Middle East envoy, and was not immediately available for comment.

The concerns expressed in the leaked report about Mr Ban's leadership echoed private conversations with senior UN diplomats and officials. But the criticisms published in the Norwegian press were the first ascribed to a named diplomat.

Mr Ban's aides have made a notable effort to elevate his image following critical press coverage that coincided with his reaching the mid-point of his five-year term last month.

A UN spokeswoman told reporters after publication of the text in Norway's Afterposten yesterday: "We do not know the veracity of the reports to which you refer".

The spokeswoman would not confirm that Mr Ban would make an anticipated visit to Norway later this month, although preparations were under way. "We have not announced any trips by the secretarygeneral yet," she said.

Mr Ban's trip would include a visit to Norway's Arctic rim to determine the impact of climate change, the top priority of his UN agenda. Diplomats also noted the importance of Norway as a political and financial backer of the UN. Its regular and voluntary contributions to UN programmes make it the world body's second-largest funder.

The Juul report was particularly critical of Mr Ban's response to crises this year in Sri Lanka and Burma, and examined the question of whether he would be elected to a second term.

Diplomats said the latest indication of unease about Mr Ban's performance would add to speculation that he might opt to leave the UN to stand for the presidency of his native South Korea. Mr Ban has just returned from a holiday in his home country.