Posted on 12/05/2004 11:58:51 PM PST by iso
LONDON (AFP) - United Nations (news - web sites) Secretary General Kofi Annan (news - web sites), under fire for his part in the controversial Iraqi oil-for-food programme, said in an interview with the Financial Times that he did not intend to resign.
"I think resignation is comparatively easy," Annan told the journalist who asked him if he considered resigning. "It is much more difficult to stay on and continue to do the job you are elected to do, and focus on the important agenda of the organisation and the membership."
Annan has been under mounting pressure in the United States over the UN's supervision of Iraqi oil sales under Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s regime, in particular concerning new revelations about payments to his son Kojo.
US Senator Norm Coleman, who is leading a congressional probe, called for Annan to step down and said he had evidence that Benon Sevan, the UN official who ran the now-defunct programme, had received payoffs from Saddam's regime.
There has been no indication that Annan profited but the UN chief admitted there was a "perception problem" after it emerged his son Kojo kept receiving payments until February from a Swiss firm working under the programme.
Asked: "How are you bearing up personally?" Annan replied: "Obviously it's difficult for me as Secretary General of the UN and as a father. But we need to continue with our work."
He is a left wing communist liberal who hates America. Of course he will not resign.
Well no sound is more louder than us shutting our checkbook! If we want to hit em hard just hit them in their pocketbook!Ok jackass Kofi and you crooked U.N. you can keep him but we stop funding you! Youll be missing the money he took! After we pull our money out well see how much they want to keep him!
Well no sound is more louder than us shutting our checkbook! If we want to hit em hard just hit them in their pocketbook!Ok jerk Kofi and you crooked U.N. you can keep him but we stop funding you! Youll be missing the money he took! After we pull our money out well see how much they want to keep him!
I totally agree with you on the jr employee being run out of town. Unfortunately, I would have to use Rush as an example of this - he used to go on and on about drug addiction and use and how abusers should be put in jail. The gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar and asks for forgiveness, albeit given but I will now not listen with such willingness to follow his words so closely.
On Koffee's situation, wouldn't you choose to stay here too?
Agreed. The US alone contribute to 25% of the UN budget.
Sounds like a typical liberal.
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
I, for one, hope he doesn't quit. His head on a platter would be enough for some folks, and it would give the Libs an excuse to excuse the UN once again....
In fact, apparently two Congress Critters are putting a bill in today that will withhold money for the U.N. until the investigation is over and a conclusion reached.
Hit them in the pocketbook!
Kofi breaks new ground in the definition of arrogance.
Of course he won't resign. It is not about the integrity of the office, it is not about honor, trustworthiness, and the excellent oversight of an international U.N. department.
It is about what Kofi wants, it is about the furtherance of nation corruption, it is about sapping U.S. funds to pad the funds of any nation willing to join the cabal in control of the U.N.
I say - Bush get us out of there and form a new organization of nations promoting democracy. Consider the U.N. what it is - an organization bent on nation profit through all manner of underdealing, corruption under the guize of a respected world organization.
Why should the U.S. be a part of such?
The only two things Kofi is pissed at, is that his stupid son got caught and he didn't steal enough.
He will never resign, not while he has a chance to line his pockets again.
Ditto, we will beat on him like a bongo drum. I actually think this is good news. Parley
What was Kofi thinking? Did he really believe his son could do this and then Kofi could plead innocence? It seems he felt he could do anything. The UN was meant to bring world peace and understanding. It was never meant as a place where you could line your pockets. Should Kofi keep the pretense up then want good is this institution. The UN is SOILED.
Kofi won't quit? Then he should be quituated. Better yet, let's quituate the UN.
Let the kid take the fall....what a dad!
He'll have to go when we disband the UN...in fact, let's try him and serve up some justice.
Kofi lied and people died...
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