The Telegraph is reporting that the US backs Lord Ashdown for Afghanistan role:

US backs Lord Ashdown for Afghanistan role
By Tom Coghlan in Kabul and David Blair, Diplomatic Correspondent
Last Updated: 12:24am GMT 04/12/2007

The United States is backing Lord Ashdown, the former Liberal Democrat leader who served as the international community's "high representative" in Bosnia, to be the United Nations new "super envoy" to Afghanistan. The proposed role would see Lord Ashdown being charged with uniting the efforts of both Nato and the UN in Afghanistan. Nato officials are understood to support his candidacy for a job with exceptional power.

Can anyone doubt the talents of the man, or the esteem in which he is held around the world? But, given the history of foreign intervention in Afghanistan, could this one be a bridge too far for any international statesman? It's a pity he's probably already too old to be in the running for General Secretary after Ban Ki Moon has done two terms though.