POLITICS: Annan Refuses to Quit U.N. Over Report

The investigation in the oil-for-food program in Iraq showed that there was not enough evidence to prove Secretary General Kofi Annan knew about the bid by his sons Swiss employer. The report released also accused Inspetion company and Annan's son of trying to hide their relationship. after the contract was rewarded.



Even though there was no evidence that Annan knew about this, they are still asking him to resign. He says he will not. Cotecna disguised it's relationship with Annan's son by routing payments through 3 different companies. Those were the instructions from Annan's son. They will continue to investigate Annan's sons dealings in the oil-for-food program.

Related News Links:
www.un.org
www.foxnews.com
staging.hosted.a p.org

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
Saddam's U.N. oil-for-food bank, BNP Paribas/AXA, hires death-cult leaders
Iraq, the U.N. and oil-for-food

[edit on 29-3-2005 by Spectre]

Of course he will not resign.
This man did a very good job with the UN so far, and has a vision regarding the transformation of the UN that is supposed to make it stronger and more effective.

Quitting over this would be retarded.
I believe him when he says he didn't know about this. There is no reasonable proof to assume Kofi is even slightly corrupt, or has been slightly corrupt ever in his life.

[edit on 29-3-2005 by Jakko]

Plenty to indicate he is inept however.

Be carefull who you blame what on though.
He may be responsible for a lot, but losing him over other peoples missteps is not the kind of loss this world can afford at this moment.

Why should he? Faults were found, and none were his. They just want a big head to chop off to save some face, everyone does. They won't get Kofi.

The title of this thread ' Annan Refuses to Quit U.N. Over Report' appears, accidentally or not, to suggest that Mr. Annan has been officially asked to step down due to the findings of the inquiry.

As I'm sure the author knows this is not the case and it was just a reply to a single question asked by just one reporter amongst many.

I just thought this might be of concern on a site where the phrase 'Deny Bias' has been seen. There might be many whom, especially when taking into consideration the tolerant and friendly attitude toward anything not bearing a 'made in US' sticker that many of the US population currently ooze, might judge such comments to be a poor and infantile attempt to throw mud upon an incident where the enquiry which already cleared gentleman of any wrongdoing.


[EDIT -

Even though there was no evidence that Annan knew about this, they are still asking him to resign. He says he will not.

Reporters?

Jack


[edit on 29/3/05 by JAK]

Humm...i thought a lot of people in here have been saying that the one at the top of the ladder in power, is always responsible for what those who work for him do....

But, although i do agree partially that not always those in power are responsible, or know, what those who work for them do; however, there is enough evidence that points to the fact that Annan knew, and helped Saddam in doing anything the dictator saw fit.

In the mid 90s, Annan helped, through the UN, set up an agreement in which Saddam himself, would choose his own buyers of oil and the suppliers of goods. Not only that, but according to the UN, and Annan, the deals Saddam made were "highly confidential", assuring Saddam's privacy.

The UN was supposed to "impose" sanctions on Saddam, yet the UN, under the guidance, help and even the leadership of Annan, made it easier for Saddam to make illegal deals. Was Annan aware of this? you bet, he helped set this up, but in case they got caught, he just closed his eyes, leaving the "cookie jar wide open" for anyone willing to take advantage of it. I am pretty sure that Annan was in the deal, but he was careful, making sure that all the evidence only pointed at those under him.


[edit on 29-3-2005 by Muaddib]

Whatever - I think it's time for him to go, jesus he's been SG for how long? 10 years? - that's way too long for someone to hold this type of position, too much time on his hands to get up to mischief, I say they should only get a 4 year term like most of the other weasels in power...

Originally posted by Jakko
This man did a very good job with the UN so far

Yeah, okay. All the dead people in Rwanda and Iraq
would disagree if they could still speak. All the people still
held in slavery in Africa would disagree if their owners would
allow them to speak. All the children who were molested in the
UN refugee camps (some reports indicate 1/4 of them) would
disagree but no one will listen to them. All the women held as
sex slaves in Indonesia and in the Netherlands would disagree
but they are in fear of their lives if they speak out.

Annan is a complete failure. He refused to do anything to help
the people who were being slaughtered by Saddam. Hundreds
of thousands of them. He refused to help the people of Rwanda.
He does nothing to help people get out of slavery in Africa.
Hundreds of thousands are in slavery there. He does nothing.
NOTHING.

But perhaps you are right. It is better that the UN do nothing
because if they actually did anything, they'd most likely screw
it up and the people involved would be corrupt (oil for food)
and that would cause even more deaths worldwide.

Originally posted by FlyersFan

Yeah, okay. All the dead people in Rwanda and Iraq
would disagree if they could still speak.

What? That's his fault? Blaming all the horrible things happening in and around Europe on this man is pretty easy Flyer, it doesn't really make sense though.

All the people still held in slavery in Africa would disagree if their owners would allow them to speak.

You're hilarious. This man is not God, he is the head of a huge organisation that has to take so many countries, views, problems, complaints into account, you can not seriously expect him to solve every freaking thing that is wrong anywhere...

All the children who were molested in the
UN refugee camps (some reports indicate 1/4 of them) would
disagree but no one will listen to them. All the women held as
sex slaves in Indonesia and in the Netherlands would disagree
but they are in fear of their lives if they speak out.

More weak statements. If you would only use your brains and consider why these things are still happening and why in despite of attempts of the UN, some problems can not be solved this easily, ATS would be a much better place.

Annan is a complete failure. He refused to do anything to help
the people who were being slaughtered by Saddam. Hundreds
of thousands of them. He refused to help the people of Rwanda.
He does nothing to help people get out of slavery in Africa.
Hundreds of thousands are in slavery there. He does nothing.
NOTHING.

Your ridiculous rambling goes even further, "he does NOTHING"...
You truly do not know anything about this man, or the UN for that matter, if you think he did nothing.

But perhaps you are right. It is better that the UN do nothing
because if they actually did anything, they'd most likely screw
it up and the people involved would be corrupt (oil for food)
and that would cause even more deaths worldwide.

Maybe you allready noticed, but I don't really like your kind of people.
Focussing on what didn't happen instead of what did happen. Understating the things that went wrong, instead of the things that went right.

I am not that pessmistic myself, and I believe an optimistic attitude is required in order to even attempt to start to solve the many many problems that many countries still have.
I admire Mr Annan's courage, realizing that there will always be the ignorant types like yourself, in whos eyes he will never do anything right, and still giving his time and energy into making this world a better place one step at a time.

The opposite of Bush in a way...

[edit on 30-3-2005 by Jakko]

Originally posted by Jakko
you can not seriously expect him to solve every freaking
thing that is wrong anywhere

Considering the huge amounts of time and money dumped into
that organization you betchya' RESULTS are expected. It's called
business. If a business wants to stay in business, it had best
produce a product or service that does some good or is in
demand. The UN doesn't. Solve 'every freaking thing'??
Nope. SOMETHING would be nice. Anything? Justification
for the kind of money and time put into that corrupt
cesspool would be good.

Another thing - the whole reason the UN was created was to
stop the things like Rwanda from happening. To stop the
mass slaughter in Iraq under Saddam from happening. And
pre-Annan - stop the deaths in Somolia from happening. That's
the reason for it being in exhistence. Obviously it isn't fulfilling
it's purpose. It has turned into a 'free contraceptions and
abortions' enterprise. What was the first thing the UN did
for the Tsunami victims? It sent planes full of condoms and
'emergency abortion kits'. Hello?? No food, water, or clothing.
What the hell do the idiots at the UN think the survivors would
be doing... getting all hotted up and humping each other because
the sight of dead bodies and destruction was a major turn on?

If you would only use your brains

Sticks and stone? Very mature.
I do use my brains. This is simple. Try to follow along. 1+1 = 2.
The UN isn't worth the money or time put into it.

Your ridiculous rambling ... You truly do not know
anything about this man, or the UN for that matter,

Yeah right. Ridiculous rambling? Get a grip. It's the truth.
The only thing the UN does is steal money and lives. In the
very very few instances when it finally did get involved it
just made matters worse. Prove me wrong. Educate us all
in the wonders of how the UN uses the vast amounts of
money, time, and resources appropriately and timely
for the betterment of humanity. Good luck.

but I don't really like your kind of people. Focussing on
what didn't happen instead of what did happen...

I don't care who you like or don't like. That's your problem.
Be a bigot. I don't care. Admitting you have a problem is the
first step to recovery. Good luck with that. Oh .. and you want
to focus on what DID happen instead of the incompetence of
inaction? Sure .. what DID happen is called OIL FOR FOOD theft.
Billions of $$$. Oh ... and support for Arafat while he stole billions
from the Palestinians DID happen too. I'll just start you off with
that. Those two diddys will keep you busy for a while.

ignorant types like yourself,

More sticks and stones? Your maturity is underwhelming.

and still giving his time and energy

Here is the key to your problem understanding the situation.
Annan doesn't GIVE anything. He isn't a martyr or a philanthropist ...
he is an EMPLOYEE of the United Nations and he is supposed to
be doing a job, a job that he is well paid to do. He isn't doing that job.
The UN isn't doing what it is supposed to. When a CEO of a corporation
doesn't do the job and the corporation fails then the CEO is FIRED.
Ultimately the CEO and those in charge are responsible for what happens
at the corporation. They are supposed to avoid even the appearance
of impropriety because it causes difficulties for the corporation. If
Annan had any integrity at all he'd leave. Of course, he doesn't have
any. He's a corrupt power hungry money grubber just like the rest.

Take an economics course. Understand how business is run. The
UN is a business. It's time for the shareholders (that's all of us) to
sell the stock and bail. The business isn't producing anything of
value or worth. We aren't getting our money's worth out of this
business. Send that message to those at the top of the UN
chain. That's the only way to get their attention and force them to
get the UN to do the job we all pay them to do.




[edit on 3/30/2005 by FlyersFan]

Originally posted by FlyersFan
Considering the huge amounts of time and money dumped into
that organization you betchya' RESULTS are expected. It's called
business. If a business wants to stay in business, it had best
produce a product or service that does some good or is in
demand. The UN doesn't. Solve 'every freaking thing'??
Nope. SOMETHING would be nice. Anything? Justification
for the kind of money and time put into that corrupt
cesspool would be good.

And do you have any idea of the things that they did do?
The way you talk makes me suspect you don't.

Another thing - the whole reason the UN was created was to
stop the things like Rwanda from happening. To stop the
mass slaughter in Iraq under Saddam from happening. And
pre-Annan - stop the deaths in Somolia from happening. That's
the reason for it being in exhistence. Obviously it isn't fulfilling
it's purpose. It has turned into a 'free contraceptions and
abortions' enterpriseWhat was the first thing the UN did
for the Tsunami victims? It sent planes full of condoms and
'emergency abortion kits'. Hello?? No food, water, or clothing.
What the hell do the idiots at the UN think the survivors would
be doing... getting all hotted up and humping each other because
the sight of dead bodies and destruction was a major turn on?

If you believe that kind of hysterical and hilarious anti-UN fairytales you must have been brainwashed by FOX network or a similar low quality news network.

I do use my brains. This is simple. Try to follow along. 1+1 = 2.
The UN isn't worth the money or time put into it.

Since you don't even know what good things the UN did do, I am not sure wether you should be taken serious saying that kind of things.

Yeah right. Ridiculous rambling? Get a grip. It's the truth.
The only thing the UN does is steal money and lives.

Wow I didn't think you'd say even more ignorant things but you just did.

In the very very few instances when it finally did get involved it
just made matters worse. Prove me wrong. Educate us all
in the wonders of how the UN uses the vast amounts of
money, time, and resources appropriately and timely
for the betterment of humanity. Good luck.

Haha, so wait. You're too lazy to read up on what the UN did right, or maybe just too busy watching the anti UN networks, so I should educate you?
Get a grip.

I don't care who you like or don't like. That's your problem.
Be a bigot. I don't care. Admitting you have a problem is the
first step to recovery. Good luck with that. Oh .. and you want
to focus on what DID happen instead of the incompetence of
inaction? Sure .. what DID happen is called OIL FOR FOOD theft.
Billions of $$$. Oh ... and support for Arafat while he stole billions
from the Palestinians DID happen too. I'll just start you off with
that. Those two diddys will keep you busy for a while.

Old news. As I said you understate the bad things, and ignore the good things that happened. I will be the first to admit the UN has to be improved and transformed, but Kofi Annas seems to think so too. His efforts will eventually lead to a healthyer and more powerfull organisation. These people learn from mistakes made, instead of just firing everyone whenever something goes wrong, which would have been your way of handling problems.

Here is the key to your problem understanding the situation.
Annan doesn't GIVE anything. He isn't a martyr or a philanthropist ...
he is an EMPLOYEE of the United Nations and he is supposed to
be doing a job, a job that he is well paid to do. He isn't doing that job.
The UN isn't doing what it is supposed to. When a CEO of a corporation
doesn't do the job and the corporation fails then the CEO is FIRED.
Ultimately the CEO and those in charge are responsible for what happens
at the corporation. They are supposed to avoid even the appearance
of impropriety because it causes difficulties for the corporation. If
Annan had any integrity at all he'd leave. Of course, he doesn't have
any. He's a corrupt power hungry money grubber just like the rest.

Well I am sorry but how can I not think of you as an ignorant ridiculous ATSer after saying things like that? Truly you did not read up on ANYthing it seems. You are clueless when it comes to what the UN did and does, and clueless when it comes to what went wrong, why it went wrong and what was done in order for tragedies like this to never happen again.

Take an economics course.
[edit on 3/30/2005 by FlyersFan]

Another hilarious comment. Man I am glad you're not in an influental position here. It would lead to a situation where people who did nothing wrong get fired over other peoples mistakes. Where we don't learn from mistakes but just quit whenever something goes wrong. Where we don't even attempt to recover from problems or improve an organisation, but just call it a day and give up.

Your pessimistic and ignorant attitude is overwhelming, even for a hardcore optimist like me.

[edit on 30-3-2005 by Jakko]

And if you are truly interested in the truth, instead of spreading the ridiculous anti-UN propaganda (which I doubt) you can go and educate yourself over here;
www.un.org...

Originally posted by FlyersFan
Considering the huge amounts of time and money dumped into
that organization you betchya' RESULTS are expected. It's called
business. If a business wants to stay in business, it had best
produce a product or service that does some good or is in
demand. The UN doesn't. Solve 'every freaking thing'??
Nope. SOMETHING would be nice. Anything? Justification
for the kind of money and time put into that corrupt
cesspool would be good.
[edit on 3/30/2005 by FlyersFan]

actually, you know the UN's total budget is about US$14 billion, you cant solve the worlds problems with that chunk of change, you know that Afghanistan's economy is larger than that and they are having enough trouble helping themselves. The UN does far far more good things than bad, the anti-UN media in the US just loves to bash the UN and its hightened since the Iraq war.

"The only thing the UN does is steal money and lives"

"What was the first thing the UN did
for the Tsunami victims? It sent planes full of condoms and
'emergency abortion kits'. Hello?? No food, water, or clothing. "

If you would like to see just ONE thing the UN does good, one single justification have a look at the World Food Programme. The WFP feeds an average of 90 MILLION PEOPLE EVERY YEAR IN 80 COUNTRIES. Hmm so it seems to me that they are saving the lives of 90 million folks a year is doing something and not stealing lives, but saving it. Right now it's feeding 1.6 million people in the Darfur region of Sudan. It's helping people in the tsunami and is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars to help feed 1.5 million people affected by the tsunami.

What you are saying is flat out lies and distortions of the truth. All bureaucratic organizations have its bad apples, hell i dont see you complaining about the US DoD, who's JOB IS TO STEAL MONEY AND LIVES.

Before you go shutting down the UN how about you ask the 90 million it feeds every year on average if they want it.

thanks,
drfunk

I don't think they want to chop off Kofis head, I think they rather keep 'm now that he is vulnarable and can be pulled by strings.

I wonder what they left out of the report...

Originally posted by Jakko

What? That's his fault? Blaming all the horrible things happening in and around Europe on this man is pretty easy Flyer, it doesn't really make sense though.
............

It is not only this, is everyone in here forgetting what this man said when a report found that the UN was hiring Hamas members, and Annan stated something like this groups was not terrorist?...

Here is a link to that scandal.

That suspicion was fuelled by a CBC News interview with Hansen, who conceded some UNRWA employees are almost certainly members of Hamas. "I am sure there are Hamas members on the UNRWA payroll," he said. "And I don't see that as a crime."

Hansen's comments topped Israeli newscasts and were brought to the attention of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The UN says, quite bluntly, it does not hire terrorists. "What Mr. Hansen was saying was that Hamas also carries out social and humanitarian work and not every Hamas member is a militant or a terrorist," said Fred Eckhart, spokesman for the secretary general.

Excerpted from.
www.cbc.ca...

Canada, Europe, The United States, The U.K., Israel and a few other countries, all have named Hamas as a terrorist group.

We have caught Annan stating, through a spokesman, that Hamas is not seen as a terrorist organization....

And now this latest scandal that officials working for the UN were in the illegal deals with Saddam using the OFF programme, which Annan himself helped to set up....

--edited for errors---

[edit on 30-3-2005 by Muaddib]

Originally posted by Muaddib
Here is a link to that scandal.

That suspicion was fuelled by a CBC News interview with Hansen, who conceded some UNRWA employees are almost certainly members of Hamas. "I am sure there are Hamas members on the UNRWA payroll," he said. "And I don't see that as a crime."

Hansen's comments topped Israeli newscasts and were brought to the attention of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The UN says, quite bluntly, it does not hire terrorists. "What Mr. Hansen was saying was that Hamas also carries out social and humanitarian work and not every Hamas member is a militant or a terrorist," said Fred Eckhart, spokesman for the secretary general.

Excerpted from.
www.cbc.ca...

Canada, Europe, The United States, The U.K., Israel and a few other countries, all have named Hamas as a terrorist group.

We have caught Annan stating, through a spokesman, that Hamas is not seen as a terrorist organization....

Hmm are you reading the same things I am reading?
They say, the UN does not hire terrorists, they hire people that are part of Hamas and not every Hamas member is a militant or a terrorist.
And they're right.

Now what's the scandal here?

[edit on 30-3-2005 by Jakko]

Originally posted by drfunk
[Right now it's feeding 1.6 million people in the Darfur region of Sudan.

OOOOPS - guess not.
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Originally posted by Jakko

Originally posted by FlyersFan
OIL FOR FOOD theft. Billions of $$$.
support for Arafat while he stole billions
from the Palestinians

Old news.

Hardly. The filth is still being uncovered.
It gets deeper and deeper and deeper.
The guilty haven't been punished. Hardly
'old news'. Just enormous embarrassing facts
to those who worship at the UN altar. Poor fools.

Originally posted by Muaddib
We have caught Annan stating, through a spokesman, that
Hamas is not seen as a terrorist organization....

Yeah, that was a real gem. The UN Corporation needs
to fire the CEO. He's a liability and an idiot.