Replacing Thant

Although U Thant has warned repeatedly that he will not stay on after December 20 when the current session of the General Assembly ends, there is no evidence that the big powers have begun the long and difficult task of finding a man to replace him. Their appearance of inactivity may be only a well-designed cover for behind the scenes discussions, since the process of reaching a consensus on the future Secretary General must naturally begin with low-key, informal talks; and Thant himself has warned that choice should be made without "fanfare." But there has been no mention, in the newspapers or elsewhere, of any such negotiations. And it is difficult to believe that this kind of effort could escape the notice of observers and the press completely if it were being made.

Judging by its public statements, the U.S. government still hopes to convince Thant that he is the "indispensable man" and that he should stay on for at least part of his term. "The U.N. needs him," Ambassador Goldberg told the General Assembly in his opening speech. "We reiterate our earnest hope that he will heed the unanimous vote of the membership and permit his tenure of office to be extended." Officials apparently believe that Thant can be persuaded to serve if the U.S. and Russia are unable to agree on a successor.

This assumption, however, is extremely dangerous. Thant has insisted that the agreement will be possible if the big powers begin looking now, and he has said he will not be "blackmailed" by a succession crisis into staying on. As he noted on Sept. 16, "Where there is a will there is a way." Heeding his advice, the U.S. would do well to begin working actively to find an acceptable candidate while the situation is still fluid.