PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - That UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last week applauded French military intervention in Mali underscores international concern about developments in that nation which occupies so revered a place in African history. Mali is, among other things, home to Timbuktu, the ancient seat of learning. Its fabled past resonates with names such as Sundiata and Mansa Musa, dear to the hearts of those in this country and elsewhere who celebrate ancient African glories. At this time, however, "The country is calling for, and needs, our help," said Ban Ki-moon. On various fronts—military, humanitarian and political—the UN is rallying support to bring Mali back on its feet. The country's present predicament may be said to have begun with a military coup that destroyed such democratic government as it had enjoyed. If Mali is not yet a political and economic basket case, it must be because it has attracted some timely international attention and assistance. Most pointedly, France, former colonial power in Mali, has deployed air power and ground forces to repudiate the hitherto unstoppable advances by a vicious strain of Islamic extremists.