February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Ahern will work along with former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, former President of Mozambique Joaquin Chissano, and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo to garner support for reforms set out by Annan.
Ahern will act as envoy to European countries and Russia in addition to his regular ministerial duties.
Secretary General Annan has faced a barrage of criticisms over his and his son Kojo’s involvement in the Iraqi oil-for-food program and allegations of corruption within the UN. Last week, institutional reforms for the UN were outlined that included changes to the structure of the Security Council and peacekeeping structuring.
The director of the Institute for International Law and Politics at Georgetown University, Dr. Anthony Clark Arend, said this week that a “fresh face and fresh voice” will be vital to the UN’s effort to recover its reputation.
Ahern’s specific job as a UN Special Envoy tasked with getting Europe and Russia to endorse the newly outlined reform measures will be critical over the next six months, he said.
“With Russia a permanent member of the Security Council and the Europeans holding the purse strings that supports the UN, his [Ahern’s] responsibilities to win these people over will be enormous,” Arend said.
UN Spokesman Fred Eckhard said on Monday that the costs for the multiple trips Ahern will make to European capitals and Moscow will be paid for by the UN.
Minister Ahern flew to New York this week to meet with Secretary General Annan and the three other UN special envoys.