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Diplomats Fear Fixing UN Could Slow Down Fixing UN
Diplomats Fear U.N. Reforms May Be ImpededU.N. diplomats say they are concerned that calls for Secretary-General Kofi Annan's resignation and allegations of widespread corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program in Iraq could derail plans for a sweeping reform of the United Nations. "We had a complete makeover in mind - lots of new committees and stuff - it would've been swell!" When a blue ribbon panel, after a year's work, released a report last week on how the world body should tackle wars, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, poverty and other threats, the spotlight should have been on its 101 recommendations. But we have an agenda! We padded it out to 101 cuz that sounded really important... Instead the report was eclipsed by headlines that Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., was calling for Annan's resignation over the oil-for-food allegations. And now this brash undiplomatic upstart Senator is spoiling everything! Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Abdallah Baali said "many are concerned ... because we are distracted now (and) we will not be able to focus on the panel report." We are so confused! "There is a growing movement to defend the secretary-general and the United Nations, because member states feel that the attack is not only on the secretary-general but on the U.N.," he said. So. They do get it. Good. Posted by: .com 2004-12-10 |
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