CHICAGO - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday he hopes relations between the world body and the United States will improve after President George W. Bush leaves office next year.
Ban said that he a "good" relationship with Bush, but that "I hope we will have an even stronger partnership between the United Nations and United States" when the next president takes office in January.
"I have been watching the debates and presidential campaigns and I think you have very good candidates," he told the Economic Club of Chicago.
Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are battling for the Democratic presidential nomination. On the Republican side, Senator John McCain has all but secured his party's nomination for the November election.
Regarding Darfur, Ban, when asked what the United States should do to further assist the United Nations in Sudan's strife-torn region, the UN chief pointed to the need for helicopters and other much-needed resources.
"I would urge the United States and other Western powers to provide necessary assistance," he said. "They should really commit themselves when they have been talking loudly to the resolution of the Darfur situation."
A reliance upon contributions from member states has delayed action, he said, adding that he hoped one day the UN would be able to have its own tactical team to respond rapidly to such complex situations.
"Ideally speaking it may be desirable but realistically speaking this may take a considerable amount of time before we can have permanent forces," he added.
Ban also noted that the situation in Kenya has shown "significant progress" but urged a rapid end to violence there.
"I hope they will be able to achieve peace and security as soon as possible," he said.
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02/08/2008 04:08 GMT