Pros and cons of Kevin Rudd's UN tilt

FOR AND AGAINST KEVIN RUDD AS UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

AGAINST:

* Most recent UNSG Ban Ki-moon is from Asia, before him UNSG was from Latin America/Caribbean and Africa, which means it's Europe's turn

* There's never been an Eastern Europe UNSG

* There have been calls for a female UNSG

* A woman from Eastern Europe such as UNESCO chief Irina Bokova from Bulgaria would be a favoured prospect

* Rudd doesn't yet have Australia's endorsement.

FOR

* Is a former prime minister

* Has diplomatic experience

* Fluent in Mandarin

* Highly regarded in Asia

* Friendly with UN Security Council's permanent members - China, Britain, Russia, France and the US - whose endorsement is crucial.