Seoul and Tokyo
Saturday, July 12at 0830
Sunday, July 13 at 0000, 0930 & 2200

On this week's TALK ASIA, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks frankly with CNN's Tokyo-based correspondent Kyung Lah on world's efforts to fight climate change, the situation in Zimbabwe, dealing with North Korea and the growing global food crisis. Sitting down with Lah on the sidelines of the recent G8 Summit in Hokkaido, Ban also finds time to discuss his upbringing, the rapturous welcome he received during his recent home visit, and maintaining a work/life balance in what he calls "the most impossible job on the earth'. Please find below selected quotes from the interview, available for immediate use:

On climate change and the vital role of the United States:

Lah: "Do you believe the political will to tackle the climate change exists with the U.S government?"

Ban: "United States in fact has been playing constructive role through the initiative of holding major economies meetings and that has been important also. I hope these discussions will be integrated into United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This is the venue which has been recognized and mandated by the international organizations."

Lah: "Do you see an agreement while President Bush is in office? "

Ban: "Practically speaking, we may have to expect the next President of the United States, whoever may be, will have to exercise and demonstrate the political leadership as soon as one is sworn in as President. In fact, before that, President Bush and his administration should pave the way for that smooth transition to the next administration."

On Zimbabwe and the African Union:

Ban: "This has very serious implications to the credibility of Africa as a whole. Not necessarily to Zimbabwe only. African leaders should demonstrate their leadership so that they can have full confidence and credibility in their own efforts to bring democracy and also help those people who really need humanitarian assistance."

Lah: "If Mr. Mugabe is sitting here right now, what would you tell him?"

Ban: "He must heed to the appeal of international community and discuss with the opposition parties to bring about mutually agreeable and harmonious political arrangement. To bring peace, stability and human rights back into normalcy."

Lah: "Is he (Mugabe) listening?"

Ban: "I hope he will listen and leaders participating in the G8 at Toyako have expressed their strong concerns and expectations that African leaders will continue to address this issue in close coordination with the United Nations."

On North Korea:

Lah: "What did you think as you saw the Yongbyon cooling tower come down?"

Ban: "This demolition of cooling tower was a symbolic and very powerful message on the part of North Korea. At the same time, United States has taken corresponding measures. Now all the parties of the six-party talks must take this opportunity to expedite this process. All in all, I am optimistic on this ongoing development of situation here.

ON the global food crisis:

Lah: "How do you convince the G8 members and other industrialized nations to contribute more to solve in this global food crisis?"

Ban: "One hundred million extra people have now driven into another poverty. International community must act on this together. Structurally speaking, we need to address all these trade distorting policies, like agriculture subsidies, export bans and speculative activities."

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