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TOWARDS 2000
Boyd was replaced by Mr John Hicks as Secretary General of IIW in 1990. Hicks
worked particularly hard at establishing himself in that position and through his editorials
he was a keen observer and commentator on world politics. Aware of the pressures of the
Secretariat he worked assiduously to protect its image and to present it in the best way
possible. Nor was there any certainty that Hicks would remain as Secretary General should
TWI be successful in winning the bid for the single secretariat. There was considered opinion
circulating that Hicks had already been informed that someone else would be taking on the
future role of Secretary General should TWI be successful. Hicks, clearly, was a seasoned and
shrewd reader of the political landscape and was aware that he did not have the full support
of Mr Bevan Braithwaite who was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TWI. Correspondingly
he did not play a part in the TWI bid for the single secretariat, which was prepared
entirely by Braithwaite’s office.
27
Considerable time and effort was expended in gaining
support for the TWI proposal, as one might expect, with Eaton coming into consideration
for the position of Secretary General on account of his wide experience of IIW affairs.
28
The pressure for the resolution of the secretariat crisis intensified as the date on
which a final decision would be made approached. The scene was set to clear up any further
uncertainty at the next meeting of the Governing Council in Stockholm on 11 June 1995
where TWI and Institut de Soudure would each present their case for undertaking the duties
of a single merged secretariat. As President of IIW, Timerman was to preside over the
proceedings. After the initial formalities had been completed the proposal for restructuring
the secretariat was addressed.
Vice-Prime Minister Zou Jia-hua of P.R. China opening the 47th IIW Annual
Assembly in Beijing, 1994