Japanese envoy defends U.N. chief, says criticisms 'inaccurate'

NEW YORK, June 30 (Yonhap) -- Japan's ambassador to the United Nations defended
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon against criticism from several media outlets about his
low-profile leadership, claiming that Ban's "quiet diplomacy" is more effective
in the long term.
"Critical comments by Western journalists, including those from the U.S., are in
my opinion inaccurate and are not really a reflection of what the secretary
general is actually doing," Yukio Takasu, the Japanese ambassador, told Yonhap
News Agency in an interview last week.
Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, is seen by many as more diligent and
hard working than his predecessors but has also faced criticism from several
Western media outlets that he is too low-profile and uncharismatic to lead in
these difficult times.
A recent article in "Foreign Policy," for example, criticized that Ban has
"trotting the globe collecting honorary degrees" instead of showing global
leadership.
Ban is only the second Asian ever to serve as the U.N. chief following U Thant of
Myanmar, who was the U.N.'s third secretary general from 1961 to 1971.
"Some in the Western media don't understand Ban's management style. That's why
they are making these kinds of inaccurate assessments," the ambassador said,
stressing that he was "annoyed" by some of the reports that he found to be
"unfair."
"As a Japanese, we understand the secretary general's management style. In the
long run this is more effective," he said.
Takasu has been in his current post since September 2007 after having previously
worked at the U.N.
He gave credit to Ban's "quiet diplomacy," or "behind-the-scene contacts," saying
that such methods are what are ultimately required in a world with no "quick-fix
solutions."
"He talks with (parties) individually and privately. He tries to find where the
possibilities are (for a diplomatic solution)."
"This kind of diplomacy is much more effective to deal with sensitive issues.
While this takes time to get results, people don't see what the secretary general
is trying to do. This (perception) is inaccurate and unfair."
The Japanese ambassador supported Ban's drive to reform the U.N.'s bureaucratic
atmosphere and said that change is essential for the future of the U.N., despite
internal backlash.
U.N. officials are now required to undergo annual performance evaluations and
disclose their financial assets. Though unpopular within the U.N. headquarters in
New York, the move has been welcomed by many U.N. observers.
(END)