New York, 23 August 2006 – On 11 August the four official candidates for the post of Secretary-General received the UNSGselection.org Candidate Questionnaire. Jayantha Dhanapala and Shashi Tharoor immediately indicated that they would complete the questionnaire, while Ban Ki Moon and Surakiart Sathirathai have not replied, to date. (Asian Tribune article: “Two of Four Official SG Candidates Agree to Answer NGO Questionnaire” (8/17/06))

Mr. Dhanapala, Sri Lanka’s candidate, submitted his eight-page response yesterday. Member groups of UNSGselection.org plan to prepare reactions to the responses – and hope that the other candidates also will complete the questionnaire so that candidates’ responses can be evaluated comparatively. If new candidates emerge – as is anticipated – they also will be sent the questionnaire.

The next formal evaluation of the candidates is expected to be another straw poll, likely held in September after the start of the 61st Session of the General Assembly. A delegate from a Permanent Member of the Security Council suggested yesterday that there may be multiple straw polls before the final selection is made.