摘要
United Nations Secretary General Kofi A. Annan is going to complete his second term of office by December 31 this year. Although the day is some time away, competition for the position of the next secretary general has unfolded within and outside the United Nations. Given the importance of the post which has a bearing on the orientation and future development of the organization, and due to the different approaches and policies taken by the parties concerned, there is bound to be a sharp contention among the various parties.
