Dr. Salim Advocates for Africa's time as UN Secretary General
On November 22, 1990, Boutros Boutro Ghali, the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister, was selected by the UN Security Council to become the sixth United Nation Secretary General. He became the first African to hold that position. The OAU proposed six candidates, including Ghali, and argued that it was time for an African to hold the position.
Prior to the final vote, on November 12, Dr. Salim sent letters to several world leaders advocating that now was the time for an African to hold the position as UN Secretary General.
A letter to Francois Mitterand, President of France.
Letter to President Francois Mitterand
A letter to John Major, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Letter to Prime Minister John Major
A letter to Li Peng, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China
Letter to Prime Minister Li Peng
A letter to George Bush, President of the United States
Letter to President George Bush
A letter to Mikhail Gorbachev, President of the USSR
Letter to President Mikhail Gorbachev
On November 22, Dr. Salim congratulates Boutros Boutros Ghali on being recommended to the UN General Assembly for election as the next Secretary-General of the UN.
"This victory is a great honour and tribute to Africa, which has consistently and forcefully argued and worked so that one of its eminent sons should be elevated to the position. It is also a great honour to Egypt, a country which has always stood for and defended the ideals and objectives of the United Nations. But above all, it is a well deserved tribute to your person as it is a recognition of your immense qualities as a statesman, diplomat, distinguished scholar and a man of peace."
