US raises the pressure on Annan's leadership

Financial Times ^ | Dec. 2, 2004 | Mark Turner and Guy Dinmore

[Randy Papadoo]

I have never been a fan of Kofi Annan. I imagine him as the "tar baby" from the Uncle Remus story,"Song of the South". (No racial inferences intended.) Through serious ups and downs, his expression never changed, his voice never rose, and, in the end, he never did anything.

I was actually disheartened(and mad, natch) when I heard that, by strong inference, he was involved in the oil for food scandal. I would never have suspected him of corruption. But it's impossible not to now, given his son's involvement, and Kofi himself refusing to provide pertinent UN records.

His spokesperson responds to questions: "I just can't answer that. I don't know. You'll have to ask him."
Which means that even his spokesperson is sure something's very wrong.

Lately, the UN has virtually been like France in it's dealings with the US. It's almost like the UN is just a headquarters for the Hate America folks. That's not good, for us or the UN. The hard feelings against us, plus the corruption issue, should it be confirmed and proven, will without a doubt be the end of Kofi Annan, and the the UN will cease to be a credible agency. Oil for Food....how can France, Russia, and Germany ever be trusted again in the UN as it exists today?

Dynamic times, folks, and the UN is in grave trouble.

[Dalite]

"Do you have any reason to believe that Jay Rockefeller cares about this issue, or would criticize the UN?"

His family is "strongly invested" in the UN.

There has been a popular rumor that the family set the UN up in operation in exchange for tax amnesty; providing the land that it was built on ans helping in the construction.

I think he cares strongly, and don't believe the family has ever criticized the organization.