Posted on 02/19/2005 6:09:06 PM PST by Valin
Uncertainty hangs over the future of United Nations refugee chief Ruud Lubbers in the organization as the world body began taking a fresh look at an inquiry conducted by it into the allegations of sexual harassment against him.
Lubbers asserted yesterday that he would not resign but UN officials said Secretary-General Kofi Annan was consulting lawyers over resurgence of charges of sexual abuse against him and diplomats hinted at the possibility of the top official being forced out of office months before the end of his term.
Lubbers met Annan yesterday and told reporters the Secretary-General has not asked him to resign.
But a preliminary UN statement on their meeting, issued after Lubbers' press conference contradicted the refugee chief's version of events and left no doubt that his future hung in the balance.
"While some issues were discussed between the secretary-general and the High Commissioner for refugees today, their main focus was Lubber's future in the organisation, particulary in the light of recent developments," it said.
The fact that the United Nations is already facing charges of corruption by its officials in the 'oil-for-food' programme and allegations of sexual abuse of women by peacekeepers in Congo might force Annan's hand to seek Luuber's resignation, diplomats said. PTI
And from the Financial Times
Lubbers rejects sex allegations
By Mark Turner
Published: February 19 2005 02:00 | Last updated: February 19 2005 02:00
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b8ae34a0-821b-11d9-9e19-00000e2511c8,dwp_uuid=d4f2ab60-c98e-11d7-81c6-0820abe49a01.html
A defiant Ruud Lubbers, former Dutch prime minister, yesterday vowed to continue as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, after a British newspaper published allegations of sexual misconduct against him contained in a confidential UN report.
Mr Lubbers denied allegations of a sexually inappropriate act upon a female colleague in December 2003, and said Kofi Annan, UN secretary-general, had not asked him to resign. He said there were two witnesses in the room during the incident, who "clearly saw I escorted the lady out the room with my hand on her back, and that was all".
He also said none of the other women cited had made official complaints. "It is a miserable report; there is no proof at all," he said. Mr Annan last year decided there was insufficient evidence to take action, but issued a warning instead. Mark Turner, New York
You could catch the guy on video with a live boy AND a dead girl and the U.N. would do nothing.
I do believe they have already in the Congo. /s
See, this is why UN staffers should stick to having sex with little kids. They can't legally testify against you.
H.R. 1146 will WITHDRAW the USA from the United Nations' madhouse/cesspool. Lobby - strike while the iron is hot to weaken them further.
Go to: http://www.getusout.org/un/index.html . Then go lobby at http://www.conservativeusa.org/megalink.htm . Email President Bush at president@whitehouse.gov White House comment line is 202-456-1111.
The United Nations is a corrupt disgrace and it is time for the USA to WITHDRAW from and defund the United Nations. Please tell your senators, congressmen and everyone you know to support Representative Ron Paul’s bill H.R. 1146 which would WITHDRAW the USA from the United Nations, prohibit US funds going to the UN and prohibit US troops serving under UN command. H.R 1146 is the American Sovereignty Restoration Act.
The whole mission of the UN is to take power, money and national sovereignty from the USA. Thus the United States must withdraw from and defund the UN and if we go, if we are lucky, the whole thing will implode.
Lubbers should be excused. He was just following the UN culture.
They said on FNC about 30 minutes ago that he'd been forced to resign.
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