U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the election of Senator Barack Obama as U.S. president. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ban said he is "confident" about future relations between the United Nations and the United States.
Mr. Ban said this is an "historic opportunity" to fulfill the common goals of the United Nations and the United States, and he looks forward to working with the new administration.
"I am confident that we can look forward to an era of renewed partnership and a new multi-lateralism," he said.
潘基文说：“我相信，我们可以期待一个焕然一新的合作关系和新的多边主义时刻的到来。”
Mr. Ban recalled Senator Obama's remarks during the campaign about the United Nations.
潘基文回顾了奥巴马参议员在竞选时有关联合国的言论。
"He spoke about a "new era of global partnership" and building "bridges of cooperation with the U.N. and other nations," he said.
潘基文说：“他谈到了‘全球合作的新时代’，还谈到架设‘与联合国和其它国家合作的桥梁’。”
The secretary-general said he followed the campaign very closely and with great interest. He said both Mr. Obama and Senator John McCain are "outstanding men."
潘基文说，他以极大的兴趣非常密切跟踪了这次美国总统竞选。他说，奥巴马和麦凯恩都是“非常杰出的人”。
Mr. Ban said he has not yet spoken with Mr. Obama, but hopes to personally congratulate him soon.
潘基文说，他还没有祝贺奥巴马当选，不过希望尽快亲自向他表示祝贺。
He recalled an encounter the two had about a year ago on a flight from Washington to New York, after Mr. Obama declared his candidacy and just after Mr. Ban took up his post as secretary-general.
"We spent about, more than half an hour, on the airplane sitting together, and discussed many issues," Mr. Ban said. "He asked many questions about what the United Nations major goals are - issues on non-proliferation, issues like North Korea and Iranian nuclear issues, and U.N. reforms. He was very engaging and he knew a lot about the United Nations. I was very much encouraged."
The secretary-general said he would try to meet with the president-elect very soon, and have his policy advisors coordinate with the Obama transition team on the important issues facing the United Nations and the world.
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