In less than a year's time, the world will be seeing a new man in charge of the United Nations. As Kofi Annan, the incumbent, is quietly preparing his exit, the Security Council is set to agonise over his successor.

Arguing that the UN, having been under the leadership of three Europeans, one Asian, one South American and two Africans, should now elect an Asian again, Asean, the Southeast Asian grouping, has thrown its weight behind Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, by far the only candidate openly running for the post.

This initiative was first welcomed by China as a show of its diplomatic goodwill to and solidarity with Southeast Asia, and then by Russia, which is clearly vying for influence in the region also.

But any conclusion that the next secretary-general will come from Asia is premature. The United States and Britain have both stated that when it comes to appointing a UN head, capabilities and track records trump regionality, while falling short of dismissing Asia's claim. A veto by either of them will mean a tortuous and taxing process all over again.