UN Representative For Afghanistan
He was also mentioned as a possible candidate to take charge of the allied effort in Afghanistan. An unnamed source is quoted in a 16 January Reuters report indicating that Ashdown, when approached by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, accepted the post. However he later decided against taking the role, after Afghanistan said it preferred General Sir John McColl and did not want Paddy Ashdown. On 7 March 2008 Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide was appointed as the UN representative for Afghanistan, stating "I'm not Paddy Ashdown, but don't under-estimate me."
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