Clinton backs Blair as UN chief

BBC
Jan. 14, 2006

Tony Blair would make a "good" secretary general of the United Nations, former US president Bill Clinton has said.

Mr Clinton said he had discussed Mr Blair's future with him and told him there was "a lot of good you can do in the world" after leaving Number 10.

Mr Blair has said he would step down before the next general election, but has not revealed his future plans.

The current UN chief, Kofi Annan, ends his term on 31 December this year.

When asked on BBC2's Newsnight if Mr Blair should run for UN secretary general, Mr Clinton responded: "That would suit me. He would be a good one."

Mr Clinton said whatever Mr Blair did after leaving Number 10 he could expect "immense rewards" from speaking engagements, books and directorships.

"What I would say to him and what I have said to him - I saw him actually last month - is that, when he does go, he's still got a lot he can do, a lot of good you can do in the world and that's the most important thing," Mr Clinton said.

"I think there are lots of things you can do.

"You can... take a position, or you can do what I do - just create your own operation and try to find some public good you can do as a private citizen."

Since his own retirement from leading a country in 2000, Mr Clinton has established a foundation campaigning on issues such as the fight against HIV/Aids.

"This has been an immensely rewarding phase of my life and I think he will find immense rewards when his service is done," Mr Clinton added.