ASEAN chief seeking IMF candidate from outside Europe, N. America

TOKYO, May 26 Kyodo - The chief of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations called Thursday for a candidate for the post of managing director of the International Monetary Fund from an area other than Europe or North America, saying a few candidates can be found in Asia.
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan told a seminar in Tokyo, ''This region must be given an opportunity to make a contribution in the governance of those global institutions important to all of us. In East Asia, in developing economies, there must be one or two capable (candidates).''
The chief of the regional body said there are individuals capable of assuming the top post at the Washington-based IMF in countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Mexico, and it is necessary to field a candidate from an area other than Europe or North America, even if the chances appear slim that the post would be secured this time.
''As a secretary general of ASEAN, I would say, just go for it,'' he said. ''Even if we don't win this time around, don't let it go without a challenge. Next time around, they will think very seriously that it is not monopoly of Europe.''
On Wednesday, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde announced her bid to become head of the IMF and succeed her compatriot Dominique Strauss-Kahn who resigned after being charged with sexual assault in New York earlier this month.
Lagarde is seen as the front-runner in the race to become managing director of the IMF as she is supported by major European countries such as Britain and Germany.
The fund, which began accepting candidacies for its top position on Monday, aims to complete the selection process by the end of June.