Bush, new U.N. chief pledge to work in partnership

Tuesday, January 16th 2007, 6:15 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush and the new U.N. chief pledged on Tuesday to work in unison for peace across troubled areas of the world in a spirit of cooperation. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the partnership cannot "fluorish in a climate of fear and mistrust."

In their statements, Bush and Ban suggested they want to put behind them the discord typified by the administration's annoyance with the United Nations over objections to the U.S.-led war that overthrew Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

Bush, meanwhile, said the United States "wants to work with the United Nations to achieve a peace through the spread of freedom."

Ban, too, made a point of emphasizing cooperation as he began his leadership of the world body.

"I believe that the United Nations and United States have shared objectives -- peace and security, freedom, democracy," he said.

The optimistic words come as the White House maintains a push to change the United Nations.

The Bush administration has complained that the U.N. bureaucracy is bloated and needs to streamline its procedures. Ban said he was reviewing possible changes.

"The United Nations should change with much more efficiency and effectiveness and mobility, and highest level of ethical standard," Ban told reporters after the Oval Office meeting. "I'm very much committed to carrying out this reform and I need strong support of all member states and staff of the United Nations in carrying these reform measures."

Later, in a speech, Ban paid tribute to the United States as key to the creation of the United Nations. At the same time, though, he cautioned, "A constructive partnership between the U.S. and the U.N. cannot, and should not, advance at the expense of others."

"Every one of our members has the right to be heard, whatever the size of its population or its pocketbook," he said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.

The Oval Office meeting between the leaders came at a time of transition at the U.N. for the United States.

Bush has announced he will nominate the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, to be the next U.S. envoy to the United Nations. Khalilzad, who is Afghan born, has also served as ambassador to Afghanistan. He will replace John Bolton, who could not win Senate confirmation and resigned last month as his temporary appointment as U.N. ambassador was about to expire.

Ban said he was humbled by the challenges he faces, and that he will need the support of the United States in areas such as Lebanon, North Korea and Somalia.

"All are global issues which require global, collective wisdom and effort," Ban said.

In his comments to reporters, Ban called the situation in the Middle East a "source of grave concern."

"Iraq and elsewhere needs an urgent attention of the international community," Ban said.

"Particularly when it comes to Iraq, the international community should have all possible assistance to help Iraqi government and people to restore peace and stability and recover from economic devastation," he said.