Posted on 12/08/2004 1:28:33 PM PST by BenLurkin
WASHINGTON (AP) - Some House Democrats are coming to the defense of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan after several Republican lawmakers called for his resignation because of allegations of corruption in the organization's oil-for-food program. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, sent a letter Wednesday to Secretary of State Colin Powell, saying criticism of Annan is "disgraceful and premature."
"There has been no hint of impropriety on the part of the secretary-general, who on numerous occasions has proven his honesty and integrity," the letter said.
It was signed by 19 Democrats and independent Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
On Monday, Democratic Reps. John Conyers of Michigan and Donald Payne of New Jersey sent a letter to House colleagues in support of Annan.
"To decide that the secretary-general must resign is an absolutely premature conclusion to draw when there is no evidence or even allegations that the secretary-general profited from the oil-for-food program," they said.
The program allowed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to sell oil and use the proceeds to buy food, medical supplies and other humanitarian items. Congressional committees are investigating allegations that Saddam manipulated the program to generate illicit income and win influence with foreign officials.
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Kofi Anna is a Crook, an incompetent, Is it any wonder the Democrats love him, their whole party are crooks and incompetents/
Of course. They've done it before in the case of someone named Bill Clinton.
I think the oil for food money found its way into Democrat coffers and they're afraid it will come to light with any honest inestigation. As long as Kofi is there and refuses to release any papers, the Dems are safe.
Very believable and a straight forward general differentiation between Republicans and Democrats in the Congress
The Democrats are are paying Kofi back for his efforts to derail the Bush campaign at the end of the election
BBCNews - September 16, 2004
Iraq war illegal, says Annan
The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has told the BBC the US-led invasion of Iraq was an illegal act that contravened the UN charter.
He said the decision to take action in Iraq should have been made by the Security Council, not unilaterally.
The UK government responded by saying the attorney-general made the "legal basis... clear at the time".
Mr Annan also warned security in Iraq must considerably improve if credible elections are to be held in January.
The UN chief said in an interview with the BBC World Service that "painful lessons" had been learnt since the war in Iraq.
"Lessons for the US, the UN and other member states. I think in the end everybody's concluded it's best to work together with our allies and through the UN," he said.
'Valid'
"I hope we do not see another Iraq-type operation for a long time - without UN approval and much broader support from the international community," he added.
He said he believed there should have been a second UN resolution following Iraq's failure to comply over weapons inspections.
And it should have been up to the Security Council to approve or determine the consequences, he added.
When pressed on whether he viewed the invasion of Iraq as illegal, he said: "Yes, if you wish. I have indicated it was not in conformity with the UN charter from our point of view, from the charter point of view, it was illegal."
You can not have credible elections if the security conditions continue as they are now
Mr Annan's comments provoked angry suggestions from a former Bush administration aide that they were timed to influence the US November election.
"I think it is outrageous for the Secretary-General, who ultimately works for the member states, to try and supplant his judgement for the judgement of the member states," Randy Scheunemann, a former advisor to US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told the BBC.
"To do this 51 days before an American election reeks of political interference."
Agreed. To quote Yoda, "Good, very good."
The democrats don't know when to stop digging.
They love the UN because it is not a Democratic institution. It allows them to enact their agenda worldwide without having to bother with voters.
"There has been no hint of impropriety on the part of the secretary-general, who on numerous occasions has proven his honesty and integrity," the letter said.
I wish they had examples...
bttt
Good to see that crooks and liars are backing one of their own!
Its a large crowd....
Very strange indeed, the old double standard held by those on the Left!!!
Got that right. its like the dims are so perverse and contrary they back the most vile of people just to piss everyone off.
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