Ban Ki-Moon

Since taking over "the world's most impossible job" at the beginning of the year, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has remained determinedly upbeat, despite the usual sniping from all sides. The low-key former South Korean foreign minister is still figuring out where he can make his mark, but he is beginning to look more focused in his efforts to tackle some of the world's most complex problems. In his office on the United Nations' 38th floor last week, he talked with NEWSWEEK Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Richard M. Smith.

Smith: Has President Bush become a believer on climate change?
Ban: It took some time for me to get President Bush and the U.S. administration to join these U.N. negotiations. I am encouraged that President Bush has finally recognized this as a defining issue, and that the U.N. is the right forum to deal with it.

You've heard some criticism that maybe you're too close to the United States.
I don't quite understand why a closer relationship with the United States should be a problem. The U.S. is one of the most important members of the United Nations. Both as secretary-general and earlier as Korea's foreign minister, I have made so many friends around the world. My advantage is that I can speak to anybody.

It must have been a difficult decision to increase the U.N. presence in Iraq.
The safety and security of our staff is paramount. We are in the process of building safe buildings. We are going to increase our staff from 65 to 85, adding an office in Erbil in northern Iraq, and we are now thinking about establishing one in Basra.

You talk about engaging Iraq's neighbors, but some people believe Syria and Iran have no interest in a peaceful solution in Iraq.
In any dialogue, inclusiveness is very important. There may be countries that people regard as spoilers. Even if we might not expect them to play a constructive role, at least we can prevent them from spoiling the process.

With Iran, there's the separate nuclear issue. What's the U.N. role here?
Practically speaking, this has been dealt with primarily by the European Union and Americans. I've met with President Ahmadinejad and other senior officials. I only hope that the Iranians will become more realistic rather than ideological, and meet the expectations and wishes of the international community by fully complying with the Security Council resolution.