By Lalit K Jha, IANS,
United Nations : President-elect Barack Obama Wednesday telephoned UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon and discussed issues of cooperation between the world body and the United States.
This was the first telephonic conversation between the two leaders after Obama won the presidential election Nov 4.
“They discussed how to address current crises, as well as regional and global issues, and how to strengthen the partnership between the US and the UN,” said a statement issued by Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary General.
Soon after his historic victory, Ban in a letter to Obama had hoped his election will usher in a new era of multilateralism and enhanced partnership with the United Nations.
During his last week’s visit to Washington to participate in the G-20 Summit on Financial Crisis, Ban had met the representatives of Obama — former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright and former representative Jim Leach.
Meanwhile, Obama continued to reach out to several world leaders.
A spokesperson of the president-elect said Obama Wednesday spoke to the Columbian President, Alvaro Uribe Velez; Nigerian President Umara Yar’Adua; the Senegalese President, Abdoulaye Wade, and the South African President, Kgalema Motlanthe.