Jean Ping (front), chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, arrives at New Chitose airport near Sapporo July 7, 2008 for the Group of Eight (G8) Hokkaido Toyako Summit which begins on Monday. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (JAPAN) 

Jean Ping (front), chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, arrives at New Chitose airport near Sapporo July 7, 2008 for the Group of Eight (G8) Hokkaido Toyako Summit which begins on Monday. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (JAPAN) 

Jean Ping, chairperson of the African Union Commission, speaks during a press conference at the African Union summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, July 1, 2008. The meeting discusses the release of a report about how to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals by 2015. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT) 

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (R) shakes hands with Jean Ping, chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, during their meeting on the sidelines of the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, south of Tokyo May 29, 2008. REUTERS/Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool (JAPAN) 

African Union Commission chairperson Jean Ping (R) arrives for the closing session of a two-day heads of states and government meeting of the African Union at Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha May 23, 2008. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (TANZANIA) 

Tanzania's President and chairman of the African Union Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (L) chats with African Union Commission chairperson Jean Ping at the end of a two-day heads of states and government meeting of the African Union at Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha May 23, 2008. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (TANZANIA) 

The new head of the African Union Jean Ping speaks at a press conference after meeting Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in his first official visit to Khartoum, May 18, 2008. Ping said on Sunday that he was optimistic tensions between Chad and Sudan would ease, after holding talks in both countries. Picture taken on May 18, 2008. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin (SUDAN) 

The new head of the African Union Jean Ping speaks at a news conference after meeting Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in his first official visit to Khartoum May 18, 2008. Ping said on Sunday he was optimistic tensions between Chad and Sudan would ease, after holding talks in both countries. Picture taken May 18, 2008. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin (SUDAN) 

Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium plays against Trinko Keen of the Netherlands during the final world Olympic table tennis qualifier tournament in Budapest May 11,2008. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY) 

Alfredo Carneros of Spain plays against Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium during the final world Olympic table tennis qualifier tournament in Budapest May 11,2008. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh(HUNGARY) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping (L) is welcomed by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso ahead of a meeting in Brussels April 8, 2008. REUTERS/Thierry Roge (BELGIUM) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping attends a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (unseen) in Brussels April 8, 2008. REUTERS/Thierry Roge (BELGIUM) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping (L) shakes hands with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana ahead of a meeting in Brussels April 8, 2008. REUTERS/Thierry Roge (BELGIUM) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping (L) is welcomed by European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana ahead of a meeting in Brussels April 8, 2008. REUTERS/Thierry Roge (BELGIUM) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping (L) is welcomed by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso ahead of a meeting in Brussels April 8, 2008. REUTERS/Thierry Roge (BELGIUM) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping (L) talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) at the start of a meeting in Brussels April 8, 2008. REUTERS/Thierry Roge (BELGIUM) 

Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive plays a serve to China's Ma Longd during the men's preliminaries of the World Team Table Tennis Championships in China's southern city of Guangzhou February 24, 2008. The 38-year-old veteran Saive plays his 17th World Championships in a row in Guangzhou since his first appearance in Tokyo in 1983. REUTERS/Bobby Yip (CHINA) 

Newly-elected African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping addresses the media in Nairobi February 22, 2008. Africa's top diplomat pushed Kenya's feuding parties on Friday to reach a speedy deal after the government agreed in principle to create a prime minister's post to help end a deadly post-election crisis. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (KENYA) 

Newly-elected African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping (L) meets Kenya's Orange Democratic Movement member Najib Balala in Nairobi February 22, 2008. Africa's top diplomat pushed Kenya's feuding parties on Friday to reach a speedy deal after the government agreed in principle to create a prime minister's post to help end a deadly post-election crisis. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (KENYA) 

Newly-elected African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping addresses the media in Nairobi February 22, 2008. Africa's top diplomat pushed Kenya's feuding parties on Friday to reach a speedy deal after the government agreed in principle to create a prime minister's post to help end a deadly post-election crisis. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (KENYA) 

Gabon's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Jean Ping and the new A.U. chairman speaks at the 10th African Union Summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, February 2, 2008. In Addis Ababa, where African leaders have been meeting, the African Union expressed its concern over the escalation of the fighting in Chad, which has delayed the imminent deployment of European Union peacekeepers bound for eastern Chad. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (ETHIOPIA) 

Gabon's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Jean Ping and the new A.U. chairman speaks to the media at the 10th African Union Summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, February 2, 2008. In Addis Ababa, where African leaders have been meeting, the African Union expressed its concern over the escalation of the fighting in Chad, which has delayed the imminent deployment of European Union peacekeepers bound for eastern Chad. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (ETHIOPIA) 

Gabon's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Jean Ping talks to the media at the 10th African Union Summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, February 1, 2008.The African Union on Friday elected Ping as the new head of African Union (AU) commission taking over from Malian Alpha Oumar Konare. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (ETHIOPIA) 

Gabon's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Jean Ping (C) walks surrounded by his body guards at the 10th African Union Summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, February 1, 2008. The African Union on Friday elected Ping as the new head of African Union (AU) commission taking over from Malian Alpha Oumar Konare. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (ETHIOPIA) 

Gabon's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Jean Ping talks to the media at the 10th African Union Summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa February 1, 2008. The African Union on Friday elected Ping as the new head of African Union (AU) Commission taking over from Malian Alpha Oumar Konare. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna (ETHIOPIA) 

Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive eyes the ball while serving to [China's Lin Ma] during the preliminary round of the Men's World Cup table tennis in Liege, Belgium October 21, 2005. [Ma defeated Saive 4-1.] 

China's Lin Ma returns the ball to Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive during the preliminary round of the Men's World Cup table tennis in Liege, Belgium October 21, 2005. Ma defeated Saive 4-1. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

China's Lin Ma returns the ball to Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive during the preliminary round of the Men's World Cup table tennis in Liege, Belgium October 21, 2005. Ma defeated Saive 4-1. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive eyes the ball while serving to China's Lin Ma during the preliminary round of the Men's World Cup table tennis in Liege, Belgium October 21, 2005. Ma defeated Saive 4-1. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive reacts during the preliminary round of his Men's World Cup table tennis match against China's Lin Ma in Liege, Belgium October 21, 2005. Ma defeated Saive 4-1. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive eyes the ball while serving to China's Lin Ma during the preliminary round of the Men's World Cup table tennis in Liege, Belgium October 21, 2005. Ma defeated Saive 4-1. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

China's Lin Ma serves to Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive during the preliminary round of the Men's World Cup table tennis in Liege October 21, 2005. Ma defeated Saive 4-1. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

Secretary General Kofi Annan speaks with the President of the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly Jean Ping in New York. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan (C) speaks with the President of the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly Jean Ping (R) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York August 31, 2005. Annan cut his vacation short and returned to the United Nations today, in part to join last-minute talks concerning the reforming of the United Nations. REUTERS/Seth Wenig 

New U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton (R) meets U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping at the United Nations in New York August 3, 2005. Bolton presented his credentials as the new U.S. ambassador on Tuesday and immediately paid visits to U.N. ambassadors to discuss reform of the world body and test the waters on Iran's nuclear policy, envoys said. REUTERS/Chip East CME/VP 

New U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) John Bolton departs after meeting UN General Assembly President Jean Ping in New York August 3, 2005. Bolton presented his credentials as the new U.S. ambassador to the UN on Tuesday and immediately called on key envoys, with many curious to see whether he remained a combative critic of the world body. REUTERS/Chip East CME/mk 

New U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) John Bolton talks to journalists as he departs after meeting UN General Assembly President Jean Ping in New York August 3, 2005. Bolton presented his credentials as the new U.S. ambassador to the UN on Tuesday and immediately called on key envoys, with many curious to see whether he remained a combative critic of the world body. REUTERS/Chip East CMe/mk 

New U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) John Bolton waves as he departs after meeting UN General Assembly President Jean Ping in New York August 3, 2005. Bolton presented his credentials as the new U.S. ambassador to the UN on Tuesday and immediately called on key envoys, with many curious to see whether he remained a combative critic of the world body. REUTERS/Chip East CME/mk 

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, President of the United Nations General Assembly Jean Ping, Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura talk to the media after their meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York City July 17, 2005. The foreign ministers met to discuss the possibility of adding new permanent seats to the U.N. Security Council. REUTERS/Seth Wenig SW/TZ 

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, an unidentified interpreter and President of the United Nations General Assembly, Jean Ping, begin their meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on July 17, 2005. The foreign ministers were meeting to discuss the possibility of adding some new permanent seats to the United Nations Security Council. REUTERS/Seth Wenig SW/FA 

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, President of the United Nations General Assembly Jean Ping, Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh and Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim pose for a picture before their meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York City on July 17, 2005. The foreign ministers are in New York to discuss the possibility of adding some new permanent seats to the U.N. Security Council. REUTERS/Seth Wenig SW/FA 

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, President of the United Nations General Assembly Jean Ping, Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh and Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim pose for a picture before their meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York City on July 17, 2005. The foreign ministers are in New York to discuss the possibility of adding some new permanent seats to the U.N. Security Council. REUTERS/Seth Wenig SW/FA 

Bastian Steger of Germany celebrates after winning the match against Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium at the men's singles round two match of the 48th World Table Tennis Championship in Shanghai, China, May 2, 2005. Steger won 4-3. REUTERS/Kin Cheung KC/YH 

Bastian Steger of Germany celebrates after winning the match against Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium at the men's singles round two match of the 48th World Table Tennis Championship in Shanghai, China, May 2, 2005. Steger won 4-3. REUTERS/Kin Cheung KC/YH 

Saive of Belgium returns the ball during the match against Safa of Turkey at the 48th World Table tennis Championship in Shanghai. Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium returns the ball during the match against Avci Safa of Turkey at men's singles round one match of the 48th World Table tennis Championship in Shanghai, China May 2, 2005. The championship will run from April 30 to May 6. REUTERS/Kin Cheung 

Saive of Belgium returns the ball during the match against Safa of Turkey at the 48th World Table tennis Championship in Shanghai. Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium returns the ball during the match against Avci Safa of Turkey at men's singles round one match of the 48th World Table tennis Championship in Shanghai, China May 2, 2005. The championship will run from April 30 to May 6. REUTERS/Kin Cheung 

Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura (L) meets with Jean Ping, President of the 59th session of the UN General Assembly, at the United Nations in New York, April 29, 2005. REUTERS/Chip East CME 

Visiting U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping leaves the headquarters of South Korea's Foreign Ministry after a news conference in Seoul November 25, 2004. [North Korea wants a change in the political atmosphere before it will attend talks on its nuclear plans and is asking the United States to send a signal to that effect, Ping said on Thursday.] 

Visiting U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping leaves headquarters of South Korea's Foreign Ministry in Seoul. Visiting U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping leaves the headquarters of South Korea's Foreign Ministry after a news conference in Seoul November 25, 2004. North Korea wants a change in the political atmosphere before it will attend talks on its nuclear plans and is asking the United States to send a signal to that effect, Ping said on Thursday. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won 

Visiting U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping reacts during a news conference at the South Korean Foreign Ministry's headquarters in Seoul November 25, 2004. North Korea wants a change in the political atmosphere before it will attend talks on its nuclear plans and is asking the United States to send a signal to that effect, Ping said on Thursday. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won LJW/CN 

South Korean President Roh talks with visiting UN General Assembly President Ping at the presidential Blue House in Seoul. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun (R) talks with visiting U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping at the presidential Blue House in Seoul November 25, 2004. North Korea wants urgently to restart six-party talks on its nuclear programmes, but is still demanding certain conditions be met, a top U.N. official told South Korea's Yonhap news agency on Thursday. North Korea agreed with the format of the talks, Yonhap quoted Ping as saying. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won 

South Korean President Roh talks with visiting UN General Assembly President Ping at the presidential Blue House in Seoul. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun (R) talks with visiting U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping at the presidential Blue House in Seoul November 25, 2004. North Korea wants urgently to restart six-party talks on its nuclear programmes, but is still demanding certain conditions be met, a top U.N. official told South Korea's Yonhap news agency on Thursday. North Korea agreed with the format of the talks, Yonhap quoted Ping as saying. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won 

South Korean President Roh talks with visiting UN General Assembly President Ping at the presidential Blue House in Seoul. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun (R) talks with visiting U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping at the presidential Blue House in Seoul November 25, 2004. North Korea wants urgently to restart six-party talks on its nuclear programmes, but is still demanding certain conditions be met, a top U.N. official told South Korea's Yonhap news agency on Thursday. North Korea agreed with the format of the talks, Yonhap quoted Ping as saying. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won 

UN General Assembly President Jean Ping shakes hands with South Korean unification minister Chung in Seoul. U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping (L) shakes hands with South Korean unification minister Chung Dong-young at the latter's office in Seoul November 24, 2004. Officials of the U.N. General Assembly arrived in South Korea on Tuesday for a four-day visit to meet South Korean officials. REUTERS/You Sung-Ho 

U.N. General Assembly President Jean Ping, who held three days of talks in Pyongyang with senior North Korean officials last week, arrives at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, November 23, 2004. North Korea remains committed to using six-party talks to defuse a crisis over its nuclear weapons programmes, but only if certain conditions are met, Ping said on Monday after visitng the reclusive state. REUTERS/Ahn Young-joon/Pool CP 

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks at the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, September 21, 2004. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan (L), General Assembly President Jean Ping (C) and Under Secretary General Jian Chen (R) listened to Lula. REUTERS/Peter Morgan PM 

U.S. President George W. Bush addresses the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, September 21, 2004. Behind Bush are (from left) U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, President of the General Assembly Mr. Jean Ping and Under Secretary General Mr. Jian Chen. REUTERS/Peter Morgan Pictures of the Month September 2004 MS 

U.S. President George W. Bush addresses the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, September 21, 2004. In rear United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan (L) looks on with President of the General Assembly Mr. Jean Ping. REUTERS/Peter Morgan MS/HB 

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (L) is greeted by the 59th General Assembly President Jean Ping outside his office at U.N. headquarters in New York, September 20, 2004. The 59th General Assembly begins today. REUTERS/Jeff Zelevansky JAZ/JDP 

Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive watches the ball during his men's singles third round table tennis match against [Ju Lin of Dominican Republic] at the Athens 2004 Olympic Summer Games, August 16, 2004. 

Belgiums Saive watches the ball during his match against Lin of Dominican Republic at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive watches the ball during his men's singles third round table tennis match against Ju Lin of Dominican Republic at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, August 16, 2004. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings