Korean wins a final poll for U.N. chief

NEW YORK -- "The Security Council is poised to select South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the next U.N. secretary-general as soon as Monday, after his fourth consecutive strong showing in a straw poll yesterday.

Fourteen council members yesterday endorsed his candidacy in principle, while one unnamed nation offered 'no opinion.'

The vote is likely to take place Monday, council diplomats said yesterday.

'We have a lot of respect for Foreign Minister Ban,' said U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton after yesterday afternoon's poll. 'We know him well from his service in Washington and think very highly of him professionally and personally.' " More at insider.washingtontimes.com