In response to media queries on Dr Surakiart Sathirathai's decision to withdraw his UNSG candidature, the MFA Spokesman said:
"We respect Dr Surakiart's decision to withdraw his candidature. It was unfortunate that ASEAN's candidate did not succeed. We are, however, happy that another Asian candidate Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon of the Republic of Korea is now front runner. We strongly support him as the next UNSG and look forward to working closely with him"
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
6 OCTOBER 2006