All contenders for UN chief receive veto: Diplomat

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 17:  All seven candidates to lead the United Nations received a vote of "discourage," effectively a veto, from a permanent UN Security Council member in the latest informal poll, a diplomat said Friday.

Friday's vote was the first time in the anonymous informal polling that Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States used colored straws to indicate their vetoes, while the Security Council's 10 elected members continued to use plain markers.

Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan -- who has been among the frontrunners in the five previous polls -- received the most "encourage" votes this time, but also got five "discourage" votes, including two from permanent members.

US media reports suggest Washington opposes all of the seven contenders in the race.

Washington's envoy to the UN Mike Waltz refused to comment on the report, but said Friday: "We have always said we just simply need the best."�" AFP