06-30-2013, 03:30 PM
[/hr]POLITICS | OPINIONS | SPORT | NATIONAL | LIFESTYLE | BUSINESS | INTERNATIONAL
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SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013
[/hr]VOL. XCV .. Num. 34,527 | In the News: Health Service Privatisation Halted -- Smyth Wins SecGen Role -- Transfer Window Predictions
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by JENNIFER McSHANE, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Sanctus - Former Deputy Prime Minister Robert Smyth was yesterday chosen to be Secretary General of the Council of IDU States in what proved to be an uncontested election. Smyth, who was nominated by Sanctarian Ambassador to CIDUS Dr. Katherine Saunders, was the only nomination and was deemed elected without need for balloting. This will be the first Secretary General of the Council of IDU States, which was formally established only a few months ago, and who passed their first pieces of legislation in the past number of weeks.
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yasminé Pontif praised her predecessor in a statement released soon after the decision yesterday evening, saying "Robert served his country diligently for over a quarter of a century, and we were delighted when he agreed to do so one final time at our request". Smyth resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and from cabinet in mid 2012 for personal reasons; later revealed as his wife being diagnosed with breast cancer. Although he retired from politics at the general election earlier this case to care for her, it is believed that his wife, Mary, was instrumental in encouraging Smyth to agree to go forward as Sanctaria's nominee for the position. Being restricted to a short and single term with no ability to be re-elected was probably another factor in Smyth's nomination.
In addition to being elected as Secretary General of CIDUS, it was announced yesterday from the Prime Minister's office that Smyth would be appointed as a Commander of the Order of the Dove, the highest award given to those who serve and represent Sanctaria faithfully abroad in duties that are not related to the military. Smyth previous spent five years as Secretary of Foreign Affairs as is widely respected internationally; the elected to Secretary General of an important regional organisation is likely to cement his figure as a Sanctarian elder statesman.
Although not yet available for comment, it is expected Smyth will give a press conference tomorrow as he begins the first day of his six month tenure as Secretary General to outline his agenda for the next six months. During his term in office CIDUS will meet in Sanctus, though it's likely that establishing a headquarters, as well as a list of where the general assemblies will be meeting, will be the first items to be brought up for discussion.