The United Nations post has been vacant again, for five months.

Mr. Wiggins served in the United Nations post for four months.

Bush recognized from the start that the United Nations post was "a ceremonial thing," in the words of a former aide.

In some cases, Moscow has used the United Nations posts for espionage purposes, according to American officials.

His last United Nations post was director of the Institute for Disarmament Research.

She has held her United Nations post since July 2004.

That stopped when Israeli shells hit an ambulance and then killed at least 75 refugees in a United Nations post.

As for the United Nations post, he said at the time, "I have never expressed any interest in the U.N. job."

African nations, who have fielded eight candidates, say it is their turn to fill the top United Nations post.

Altmeyer later served in a variety of United Nations posts, advising other countries on social security and labor issues.