"Like the catcher in the rye"

Interview with Dr. Benjamin Martinson, candidate for the IDUC Secretary General

Shortly after he had been nominated as Saidercray's candidate for the post of the IDUC's Secretary General, Dr. Benjamin Martinson (59), former chairman of the Supreme Court and well-known for his liberal jurisdiction, has been interviewed by Saidercray Today.

ST: Dr. Martinson, congratulations to your nomination. After you had retired from the chairmanship of the Supreme Court in 2005, many believed your time as a public figure to be over. Now, two years later, you return with a new role. How did this happen?
Martinson: When I retired from chairmanship, President Woshkal eludicated towards me that he would like to see me playing an active role for Saidercray again once I would be well again. Of course, he thought of a comeback as judge of the Supreme Court - which, as you know, never took place. I felt the need to re-organize my life, to start something new. Therefore the government didn't have to talk insistently on me when they phoned me and asked me if I think I could do this job. I confered with my wife, slept on it and then I phoned them back and became Saidercray's candidate.
ST: If you become Secretary General, you will have "the exclusive authority to place bills up for debate and vote" and the General Secretary shall be "appointed by" you. How do you intend to fulfill these tasks and to lead the Council?
Martinson: I don't see me much as a leader but as a caretaker, which means that I would give the Council members a free hand and only intervene if really necessary, if for example a resolution is illegal due to the determinations of a previously passed one. I would be like the catcher sitting in the rye, not particpiating in the game itself but sitting there to prevent any kind of catastrophy from happening.
As far as the post of the General Secretary is concerned, I would propose the candidate whom I see as most suited to serve the Council's interest, and who doesn't come from Saidercray, too.
ST: As you may have read in our article one week ago, parts of the government including Preisdent Woshkal wish to leave the UN after Saidercray will have become a member of the IDUC. Whereas the accession to the IDUC is commonly taken for certain, the UN question disunites the government, the parliament and the people. What is your opinion on this topic?
Martinson: As far as I remember, there has been a plebiscite last year with a relatively clear outcome. The government should bend to this decision, and if they want a new plebiscite on it, they should wait until after the new election in summer.
ST: At the moment, you have three competitors - Dr. Freeman from Nimali, Dr. Dieckmann from the Schnauzer Dominions and Mr. Keegan from Kedalfax. What is your opinion on them?
Martinson: They are all worthy competitors, and no matter whether someone of them will win or I, the Council will have a good and qualified first Secretary General.
ST: Thank you, Dr. Martinson.

idunews