The ex-sports minister's big goal

During the recent United Nations summit in New York the outgoing President revealed he had been involved in "informal discussions."

However, the former communist who once served as a Sports Minister before the system change in 1989 said it was too early to start thinking seriously about the idea.

His term in office ends on December 23 this year. "After this date, I am of course again a free man and I can think about some international actions or responsibilities," Kwaśniewski said.

Elevation to the UN would be a dramatic turnaround for Kwaśniewski. Just six months ago he was battling for his political credibility when his name emerged at the heart of the so-called Orlengate affair and he refused to answer allegations before a Sejm investigative committee. Several UN diplomats have reportedly raised Kwaśniewski's name in discussions about a successor for Kofi Annan, who steps down from his second and final five-year term in 2006. Poland has also played a key role in efforts by Central and Eastern European nations to dispel the notion that the next secretary-general should be Asian.

Kwaśniewski's intervention in Ukraine's Orange revolution won him acclaim on the world stage, and support from its eastern neighbor. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Boris Tarasyuk said: "Should he agree to be a candidate, Ukraine will undoubtedly support him."

Nonetheless, Kwaśniewski's chances of becoming secretary-general seem slim. Asia has strong support from Africa, Western Europe and Latin America. Also, Kwaśniewski would have to overcome almost certain opposition from Russia, which has the power to veto candidates. (Dow Jones Newswires)