So. Korea 'bribing' Ban's way to UN top?

Times Online

SOUTH KOREA has pledged millions of dollars in aid and offered other incentives to members of the United Nations Security Council to secure its candidate as the next UN secretary-general.

An investigation by The Times has disclosed that the South Koreans have been waging an aggressive campaign on behalf of Ban Ki Moon, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the front-runner to replace Kofi Annan as UN chief at the end of the year. The inducements range from tens of millions of pounds of extra funding for African countries to lucrative trade agreements in Europe — and even the gift of a grand piano to Peru.

Mr Ban's prospects received a dent last night when he slipped back in a new secret ballot by the UN Security Council. While Mr Ban remained the clear front-runner, he received support from only 13 of the 15 council members — one fewer than in the previous ballot. One council member voted against him and another abstained.