The Big Deal about Kofi Annan

This has been swirling around the last few days. First, it was discovered that Kofi Annan's son was associated with a company that was rewarded a large UN contract. Kofi Annan later denied any knowledge of the event, and within 1 or 2 days (it was damn quick) was completely cleared of any allegations, but now it looks like he's starting to get some more heat.

Yesterday, a report into wrongdoing at the United Nations was released and the Secretary-General Kofi Annan was supposedly 'cleared.' Actually, the investigation into the UN's tainted Oil-for-Food Program in Iraq was very damaging to Annan because some damaging revelations were disclosed.



Annan's son was not truthful about his connection to a Swiss firm that was chosen to oversee the program.
Annan's Chief of Staff shredded a large number of documents related to the case.
The Executive Director of the Oil-for-Food program improperly used his U.N. position to purchase Iraqi oil for a Swiss company. He has now been suspended as the U.N. investigates whether he financially benefited from the dealings


Although the investigation did not point to any illegal activity by Kofi Annan, the Chairman of the investigation, Paul Volcker did criticize the Secretary-General for not thoroughly investigated the matter internally. According to Volcker, "The U.N. inquiry initiated by the Secretary-General was inadequate."



The Oil-for-Food program is typical of so many failed U.N. missions. It totaled $83 billion, which was supposed to be used for food for Iraqi citizens harmed by the sanctions against their country. Instead, it was corrupted by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.



This scandal is just the latest blow to the U.N., which everyday is shown to be more ineffective. It stood on the wrong side in the Iraqi war, it was useless in the campaign to liberate Kosovo and it was silent as millions were being slaughtered in Rwanda in the mid 1990’s. The 191 nation general assembly is largely an anti-American hate group. Yet, ironically, it is financially supported by the U.S. government and its headquarters is based in the U.S., the country so despised by so many member nations.



Earlier in the week, even Annan admitted that major reforms were needed. For example, the U.N’s Human Rights Commission includes countries such as Cuba, Sudan and Libya, who have abysmal human rights records and a history of supporting worldwide terrorism. This clearly shows why the U.N. is not capable of doing anything to promote human rights.



When asked whether he should resign, Annan replied, “Hell no.” Actually for the U.N. to survive, Annan needs to resign and the world body needs to be drastically reformed. This week, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Jeanne Kirkpatrick appeared before a congressional committee and testified that “I think we either need to reform it (U.N.) or destroy it.” With Annan still in a leadership position, real reform is impossible.