UNITED NATIONS: The controversy over the appointment of a new U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees reached a new pitch as the secretary general’s choice, Virendra Dayal, dropped out of the race with a bitter note of resignation alleging racism.
Still in the running is former Canadian cabinet minister Flora MacDonald, as well as candidates from five other countries.
A Canadian UN. Official said Ottawa is optimistic that MacDonald, who has a history of involvement with U.N. projects, will get the high commissioner’s job.
But a U.N. official said her chances may be slim, because the deputy commissioner for refugees is American, and the secretary general may want to avoid a North American monopoly of the U.N. High Commission for Refugees, known by the acronym UNHCR.
Dayal, an Indian citizen, wrote to Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar: “There is no way that I can develop the attributes of a Western European politician, in or out of office. And I would not wish: UNHCR or the refugees of the world to be deprived of funding on that account.”
Saying that the controversy sprang from doubts that “a non-European can be worthy of the post.” Dayal called it demeaning, and asked that his name be withdrawn.
The high commissioner’s office has been vacant since the resignation last month of Thorvald Stoltenberg, who left to fill a Norwegian cabinet post.
U.N. refugee chiefs have traditionally been high profile candidates who are persuasive fundraisers for the perpetually strapped organization.
But when Stoltenberg resigned, Perez de Cuellar quickly opted for Dayal, although the U.N. bureaucrat is not noted for outstanding political contacts. Canada and the United States criticized the move, saying that the funding countries should be consulted before any choice is made, Perez de Cuellar, who is in Japan and France until next week, is expected to make a decision on the appointment shortly after his return.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 23, 1990
