Pag. 17

"Bonino's big battle"

Who's going to be the next UN High Commissioner for Refugees ? Kofi Annan needs to find a replacement for Japan's Sadako Ogata by the end of next month. And being mentioned for the job are a Frenchman, an English woman, a Jordanian and two Italians.

There's speculation that France could put forward Medecins Sans Frontières founder Bernard Kouchner, whose time running Kosovo is coming to an end.

Britain's Mo Mowlam, the former Northern Ireland secretary who's planning to leave Tony Blair's cabinet, is also being talked about. And Jordan is considering putting forward Prince Hassan, uncle of the current king.

But the main topic of conversation is what on earth the Italians are up to. At meetings in Berlin, Paris and Washington this week, prime minister Giuliano Amato is putting forward Emma Bonino as the Italian government's choise. The ever flamboyant Bonino is well qualified, not only as a former EU commissioner for humanitarian affairs but as someone with a lifelong interest in refugee problems.

Italian foreign minister Lamberto Dini is otherwise inclined. He's been telling his international counterparts that the ideal person for the job is Giangiacomo Migone, head of the Italian senate's foreign affairs commission and not exactly the most prominent person on the international stage.

It seems Migone started out as Italy's candidate back in February, but Amato later thought better of the idea when he became prime minister in April. The foreign ministry says Dini apparently "believes Italy will have a better chance of securing the post if it puts forward two candidates rather than one". But there's only one Bonino - and she isn't too impressed.