U.S. criticism on Annan
After only five weeks in office, the new UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is already drawing media criticism in the U.S for not doing enough to reform the world body.
Annan is keeping his cool and has declared that he will have a reform plan ready by the end of July this year, but some State Department officials say that five months is too long. After having heartily backed Annan for the top UN post, the U.S. is now turning on him and trying to rush him off his feet.
Right or wrong, Annan has a clear notion of what he wants to do, as revealed in his recent address to the National Press Club in Washington. He talked of improving and streaming management procedures across the board, strengthening internal controls. However, he will not move till the 185-member General Assembly approves his proposals. In other words, he is no single-minded reformer trying to lead the world body from the front, but its top international civil servant who will act only at the behest of the member nations.
Annan also told the National Press Club that he shares the view of many governments which want to see the Security Council expanded to better reflect today's geopolitical realities. He wants this issue to be settled by member nations by the end of this year, which speaks well for a man accused of being too slow on the uptake. His position also suggests that he wants to see America's bid to dominate the world body ended, and a more balanced Security Council take shape.
Unfortunately, the way he reappointed most of the senior bureaucrats at the UN as soon as he assumed office, instead of cleaning the house straightaway, has caused a lot of misunderstanding, and dismayed the U.S. in particular. His reluctance to bring three overlapping UN economic departments under one head, as urged by the U.S. and six other leading industrial countries, has also left the West wondering what reform is really in store later this year.
Annan is sending out some worrying signals, but he still deserves more time before any proper judgment of his performance can be made.
-- Gulf News, Dubai