THE backlash against the US decision to refuse a second term to UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, has forced the Administration into admitting there is no obvious replacement among the mentioned candidates, who include the President, Mrs Robinson.
But US emphasis on reforming UN bureaucracy is turning attention to candidates with proven administrative experience rather than political or diplomatic skills. President Robinson is not seen to have such experience.
Dr Ghali has started a spirited fight back against the US, which is being widely criticised for the clumsy way it has handled the matter. Domestic considerations are seen to have played a major role in the decision by President Clinton to oust the former Egyptian diplomat who is being continually derided by the presidential contender, Mr Bob Dole, and the Republican controlled Congress for actions concerning Bosnia, Somalia and the Middle East.
The US compromise to offer Dr Ghali one extra year would have suited President Robinson as her term of office would expire just as an agreed successor would be required, assuming she wants the job.
Following Dr Ghalis rejection of the compromise and declaration that he wants a second term, the US Secretary of State, Mr Warren Christopher, has withdrawn the one year extension from the Secretary General.
Another compromise of an extension of one to two years discussed by EU foreign ministers at the Florence summit may come up again at the G7 summit this week in Lyons which Dr Ghali is to attend. He is still strongly supported by France.
Another summit where the issue is likely to be discussed is the meeting of the Organisation of African Unity in Yaounde, Cameroon on July 7th.
At UN headquarters moves are being discussed by the Third World, non aligned bloc to overcome the threatened US veto in the Security Council which must make a recommendation to the 185 country General Assembly. If a Security Council deadlock ensues, there is a slim possibility the General Assembly could vote on its own to give Dr Ghali a second term.
The General Assembly is also likely to pass a resolution strongly condemning the US for failing to pay $1.5 billion it owes in budget and peacekeeping payments. But President Clinton, who is a genuine supporter of the UN, argues that the only way be can get Congress to approve the payments is by replacing Dr Ghali.
At the UN last Friday, the official spokesman began his briefing by reading extracts from two speeches praising Dr Ghali, revealing only at the end that President Clinton was the author.
There is some speculation in Washington that if President Clinton is re elected on November 5th, he might consider with drawing the veto on Dr Ghali and offering him a full second term pleading the widespread support he has received.
But more realistic observers at the UN say that in spite of such support the US is so powerful there that its objections to him will have to be accepted and a replacement found by next November.