Thursday, June 16, 2005
Coffee and Naan.
Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General seems to be on the verge of quitting his post after revelations in a UN investigation into the Iraqi oil-for-food programme (see the BBC's Q&A for more info). The investigation has uncovered evidence that Mr Annan may not have been entirely honest when he said he was unaware of, and had no involvement in, a contract being awarded to a company that had employed his son, Kojo. BBC, UK: Annan in new oil-for-food probe
While the inquiry, led by Paul Volcker, an American and former chairman of the US Federal Reserve Bank, has so far made no specific allegations of corruption on behalf of Mr Annan, the evidence raises that possibility and, considering the special role of the UN Secretary-General and the need for the office-holder to be beyond reproach, it should surprise no one to hear that Mr Annan has contemplated resignation (The Times, UK). The overall context of the inquiry (and those being undertaken by the US Congress) should be kept in mind: Kofi Annan was a loud voice of dissent in relation to the Coalition invasion of Iraq. His removal from office may not be greeted with the popping of champagne corks in Washington, but it is also likely that the US government would not be overly upset.
Should he resign? On this, I am undecided. He has done much good work in the past, as evidenced by his Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. However past good deeds would not excuse corruption, if that is shown to have occurred. Perhaps for the moment, the best plan would be to wait for the UN inquiry to issue its final report, due in the next few months.
Other articles on this:
Guardian, UK: Annan faces new claims in oil-for-food scandal
The New York Times, USA: Investigators to review hint of Annan role in Iraq oil sales (Free registration required.)
Washington Post, USA: Annan says he will not resign from UN (Free reg also required.)
Full credit should go to my brother Charlie for the title of this post. I take no responsibility for it at all!
While the inquiry, led by Paul Volcker, an American and former chairman of the US Federal Reserve Bank, has so far made no specific allegations of corruption on behalf of Mr Annan, the evidence raises that possibility and, considering the special role of the UN Secretary-General and the need for the office-holder to be beyond reproach, it should surprise no one to hear that Mr Annan has contemplated resignation (The Times, UK). The overall context of the inquiry (and those being undertaken by the US Congress) should be kept in mind: Kofi Annan was a loud voice of dissent in relation to the Coalition invasion of Iraq. His removal from office may not be greeted with the popping of champagne corks in Washington, but it is also likely that the US government would not be overly upset.
Should he resign? On this, I am undecided. He has done much good work in the past, as evidenced by his Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. However past good deeds would not excuse corruption, if that is shown to have occurred. Perhaps for the moment, the best plan would be to wait for the UN inquiry to issue its final report, due in the next few months.
Other articles on this:
Guardian, UK: Annan faces new claims in oil-for-food scandal
The New York Times, USA: Investigators to review hint of Annan role in Iraq oil sales (Free registration required.)
Washington Post, USA: Annan says he will not resign from UN (Free reg also required.)
Full credit should go to my brother Charlie for the title of this post. I take no responsibility for it at all!
# posted by GrecianEd @ 2:07 am 
