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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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 Wed Dec 01, 2004 8:35 am Sen. Coleman: Annan Should Resign |
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| Quote: | Sen. Coleman: Annan Should Resign
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
WASHINGTON � The senator leading an investigation into the United Nations' Oil-for-Food program in Iraq is calling on Secretary-General Kofi Annan (search) to resign.
Writing in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal, Sen. Norm Coleman (search), R-Minn., argues that Annan should step down because "the most extensive fraud in the history of the U.N. occurred on his watch. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, as long as Mr. Annan remains in charge, the world will never be able to learn the full extent of the bribes, kickbacks and under-the-table payments that took place under the U.N.'s collective nose."
Annan's office declined to comment Tuesday night.
The humanitarian Oil-for-Food program (search), which began in 1996, allowed Iraq to trade oil for food, medicine and other necessities that became scarce under strict U.N. economic sanctions imposed after the Gulf War. The program was credited with preventing widespread starvation.
Two weeks ago, Coleman's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations said it had uncovered evidence that Saddam Hussein's government raised more than $21.3 billion in illegal revenue by subverting U.N. sanctions against Iraq, including the Oil-for-Food program.
"Mr. Annan was at the helm of the U.N. for all but a few days of the Oil-for-Food program, and he must, therefore, be held accountable for the U.N.'s utter failure to detect or stop Saddam's abuses," wrote Coleman.
The subcommittee's ranking Democrat, Carl Levin (search) of Michigan, has worked closely with Coleman on the investigation, but said Tuesday night he didn't see a need for Annan to resign.
"While I believe that one or more specific individuals working with the Oil-for-Food program at the U.N. may have acted improperly, I have seen no evidence of impropriety whatsoever on the part of Kofi Annan," Levin said in a statement issued to The Associated Press.
In a telephone interview Tuesday night, Coleman said: "Any private company would have asked for his (Annan's) resignation. But the members of the board, in this case Security Council members China, Russia and France, have all benefited from Saddam being in power."
Coleman said another factor in asking for Annan's resignation was the secretary-general's refusal to give his subcommittee access to the U.N.'s 55 internal audits and interviews with U.N. staff members. Annan has argued that doing so would interfere with an internal investigation by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker.
Coleman stressed that in calling for Annan's resignation, he wasn't coming to any conclusions about his involvement in the Oil-for-Food program.
"I'm not Kofi's boss," Coleman said.
He called Annan's resignation "inevitable," especially in light of this week's revelation that Annan's son, Kojo Annan, received $30,000 a year for over five years from a Swiss-based company under investigation in connection with suspected corruption in the Oil-for-Food program.
Coleman stopped short of saying he would move to cut U.S. funding for the U.N. if Annan stays on.
"I'm not prepared to say we need to step back from our (financial) commitments to the U.N," he said. "But ultimately, if our efforts are thwarted, I think that issue does come into play. The consequence of the path we're on right now is not a good path for the United Nations."
Coleman said he didn't ask any other senator to join his call for Annan's resignation, but said he had "no doubt" that many senators will support the effort.
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Tsss, who cares what Annan does with his pathetic body of nations. I have a better idea, why don't we just close the UN HQ in New York and tell them maybe Syria would like a bid for building a new HQ, since we don't want to be apart of this organization anymore  .
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LightningBoy
Commodore
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1446
Location: Minnesota, U.S.A.
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:34 pm |
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It's times like this that i'm glad that I campaigned for Norm. In fact I met him once, though it was no more than the standard hand shake and a thank you. 
A fiscal moderate, he stands strong on national defense and moral values, and he will go places in politics if he keeps his voice as loud as it has been.
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Kyre
Commodore
Joined: 15 Mar 2002
Posts: 1263
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 3:37 pm Re: Sen. Coleman: Annan Should Resign |
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| JanewayIsHott wrote: |
Tsss, who cares what Annan does with his pathetic body of nations. I have a better idea, why don't we just close the UN HQ in New York and tell them maybe Syria would like a bid for building a new HQ, since we don't want to be apart of this organization anymore . |
Because that would really help America's worldwide image.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:03 pm Re: Sen. Coleman: Annan Should Resign |
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| JanewayIsHott wrote: |
Tsss, who cares what Annan does with his pathetic body of nations. I have a better idea, why don't we just close the UN HQ in New York and tell them maybe Syria would like a bid for building a new HQ, since we don't want to be apart of this organization anymore . |
For as long as we are in the UN, he should resign. Although I do agree that we should throw out the UN.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Superman
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 06 Dec 2003
Posts: 10220
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:05 pm |
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I'm no fan of the UN. They do do some good but they are fairly impotent when it comes to some issues. But they're the best we've got until someone comes up with something better.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:22 pm |
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Well someone better come up with something ALOT better fast because they aren't worth much.
And I would rather do the right thing and get out of the corrupt body of nations and tarnish our already poor world image than remain apart of them and support them .
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Superman
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 06 Dec 2003
Posts: 10220
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:23 pm |
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You are making some valid points. The UN may go the way of the League of Nations soon. In a lot of ways, the organization is a failure and I believe it needs America more than America needs it. But what do you think an alternative would be?
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:38 pm |
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I don't know, but apparently this global coalition of nations idea has failed twice and doesn't appear to work.
If one did want to "repair" the UN, I think it would be important to get Annan out of the leadership role. Secondly, I think it would be important to evaluate if all of the nations that are members of the UN. There are many that could be seen as "rogue" and that need to either be kicked out, or change their policy. There are alot of other things that need to be done, like changing some of the loopholes in there humanitarian policies. However, I really think it would be important for the world to lose it's anti-American sentiment, or equally as important, its anti-Bush sentiment. They also need to actually stand firm on what they say is important to them. Saddam continually violated chapter VII resolutions which call for the use of force if necessary, but where was the UN on Iraq? Well France and Russia were having fun with oil-for-food and putting money into Saddam's pockets who in turn gave it to families of Palestinian suicide bombers. If for no other reason, a leader who attempts genocide should be enough to stir some emotion.
Anyhow, I don't think I constructed this post very well, but at the moment, I just can't stand the UN at all and just don't know where to start.
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Superman
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 06 Dec 2003
Posts: 10220
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:42 pm |
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That was actually a good post. When I earlier said that the UN was impotent in some ways, I posted that whilst thinking about Saddam's continual violations over the years.
| Quote: | | I really think it would be important for the world to lose it's anti-American sentiment, or equally as important, its anti-Bush sentiment. |
Yes, I've said this before on this forum. America, like any country, has made a lot of mistakes but America, like some countries, has also done a LOT of good in the world. There have been times in history where America has intervened to combat evil, whether it's intervention was wanted is debatable. But it has done good.
The UN cannot continue in it's present form. UN resolutions mean nothing without a will to enforce them. A UN that doesn't enforce resolutions is like a police force that refuses to apprehend criminals.
I could say more but I'd probably fill a page. Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:50 pm |
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You both made excellent posts above, and are spot-on.
Last edited by Republican_Man on Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Superman
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 06 Dec 2003
Posts: 10220
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:51 pm |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | | You both made excellent posts above, and are spot-on. |
Why thank you? I can think of some sites where legitimate, friendly debates are non-existent. Thankfully, that doesn't happen here.
Like the avatar, Republican Man.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:53 pm |
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| Starfleet Dentist wrote: | | Republican_Man wrote: | | You both made excellent posts above, and are spot-on. |
Why thank you? I can think of some sites where legitimate, friendly debates are non-existent. Thankfully, that doesn't happen here.
Like the avatar, Republican Man. |
Thank you, and yes, that could be a thank you 
But yes, something needs to be done, and things figured out. The UN has serious problems, and must be dealt with, and in a timely fashion.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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