Posted on 06/15/2005 12:36:33 PM PDT by johnny7
PARIS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, under fire over the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal, said on Wednesday he would not resign and was determined to continue his work to reform the United Nations.
Annan said in a newspaper interview it was regrettable that former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker could not conduct his inquiry into the affair in "serenity" because of "incessant attacks against me, the U.N., and this committee." Annan's comments came after a newly disclosed memo appeared to cast doubt on his insistence he was unaware of a bid by a Swiss firm that employed his son for a lucrative contract under oil-for-food program. Michael Holtzman, a spokesman for Volcker's inquiry committee, said on Tuesday U.N.-appointed investigators were "urgently reviewing" the memo. Several U.S. Republican lawmakers have accused Annan of mismanagement and called for his resignation. "I am determined to work with the member states to conduct these reforms well," Annan told Thursday's Le Figaro daily, referring to his proposed reform package for the United Nations.
Asked whether he ruled out resigning, he said: "Absolutely." Annan said the United Nations was confronted with a new threat from the U.S. Congress to suspend contributions to obtain reforms. "These threats are coming as we are engaged in major reforms to the organization. This does not facilitate the reforms process," he said. "It's a good thing if a country like the United States makes proposals for reforms and is entirely committed. But these proposals must be discussed by the member states so that they can be decided in a calm and reflected way, without being submitted to threats."
A U.S. congressional report on Wednesday criticized the United Nations for lacking oversight and accountability and urged rapid management reforms by Annan. Annan in March put forward the most wide-ranging overhaul of the United Nations since its creation in 1945, with proposals including a new human rights body, rules on pre-emptive wars, and management reforms. He wants agreement on a package soon so members can adopt it at a U.N. summit in New York in September.
Kofi's offshore bank accounts really need to be located and checked.
My serenity is disturbed also. (Remember Frank Costanza shouting "Serenity Now"?) Nothing like deflecting the issue, Kofi. It won't work this time.
Even Kofi Cup uses the word "absolutely" too much.
-Kofi Annan
Let's leave Kofi right where he is. He does us more good following the Clinton (never resign) playbook. Hell, we've finally got legislation pending that would cut-off U.S dues to the U.N. As soon as he's gone, that legislation goes down the tubes. Keep Kofi!
At this point, he's got squatter's rights.
its time for someone in the US adminsistration, like Condi, to call for his resignation.
This idiot complains about incessant attacks, even if there is strong evidence that he has done something. His 'attacks' don't hold a candle to what has had to put up with by his ilk and the DNC for the last 5 years.
Annan better just shut the F$%K and resign already!
"His 'attacks' don't hold a candle to what has had to put up with by his ilk and the DNC for the last 5 years."
Meant to say 'what Bush has had to put with...'
Call the MPs , he'll go , it always worked for me .. sarc.
Lloyd--Ace Computer salesman. LOL!
The poor man... and Mr. Volcker's 'serenity' has been disturbed. I think Kofi needs a kick... back to whatever disfunctional nation he came from.....
Ghana is where he was spawned.
"Why just yesterday we ordered different colored binders and mandated a font change for our resolutions."

If you aren't informed about this stuff, you will be made sick. If you are informed, you will be made mad, all over again.
I can't say in this forum, what a friend of African decent said about Kofi. More's the pity.
The Bill Clinton Playbook: deny, deny, deny, deny, deny.......................
I'm past mad.
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