Sons And Daughters Of BBCMF China / Asia Technology

[mick]

Clinton backs Blair as future U.N. secretary general
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton on Friday backed British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a future secretary general of the United Nations. Clinton told BBC television Blair would make a "good" head for the international organization when he leaves office, as he has indicated he will before the next general election, expected by 2010 at the latest. The pair ¡X who became friends during Clinton's time at the White House between 1993 and 2001 ¡X had discussed Blair's future and Clinton had told him there was "a lot of good you can do in the world" after leaving Downing Street. He also predicted Blair, 52, would find "immense rewards" when he stood down, particularly from lucrative speaking engagements, books and directorships. Asked if Blair should run for U.N. secretary general, Clinton, 59, said: "That would suit me. He would be a good one." The current secretary general Kofi Annan's term in office ends on Dec. 31 this year.