Posted on 12/03/2004 6:22:26 AM PST by FairOpinion
The leaders of France and Germany yesterday gave United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan their full support as he continued to resist the suggestion that he resign over the oil-for-food scandal.
In stark contrast, President George Bush refused to say whether Mr Annan should resign, instead calling for a "full and fair and open" investigation into a program that has been described as history's largest swindle.
Asked directly if Mr Annan should resign, Mr Bush said: "I look forward to the full disclosure of the facts, a good, honest appraisal of that which went on."
Mr Bush also linked funding of the UN to the oil-for-food investigation, saying: "In order for the taxpayers of the United States to feel comfortable about supporting the United Nations, there has to be... a full and fair and open accounting."
The US provides 22 per cent of the UN's budget.
In a move that took the Bush Administration by surprise, the US ambassador to the United Nations, John Danforth, 68, announced his resignation after just five months in the job.
Mr Danforth, who this week said he did not think the US should consider cutting its funding to the UN even though the oil-for-food issue was serious, said he was resigning to spend time with his wife of 47 years, Sally, and scoffed at suggestions that there was any other reason.
Mr Annan's office has dismissed the suggestion that he should resign over revelations that Saddam Hussein milked the UN oil-for-food program of up to $US20 billion ($A25.8 billion), and used the money to strengthen his position as Iraqi leader, and buy favours from France and Russia.
French President Jacques Chirac, who counts Mr Annan among his close friends, yesterday offered his full support to the Secretary-General.
Speaking after meeting Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Germany, Mr Chirac said: "Germany and France reiterate their full support for Kofi Annan whose commitment to the aims of the United Nations is total."
Mr Schroeder also pledged his support for Mr Annan.
French officials later told reporters that Mr Chirac had telephoned Mr Annan to offer support.
US Senator Norm Coleman has called on Mr Annan to resign, saying the corruption in the oil-for-food program occurred on his watch.
Mr Annan also continued to battle against accusations that his son, Kojo, profited from the oil-for-food program by taking money from a company that had UN contracts.
He said Kojo Annan was "independent, a grown man. I don't get involved with his activities and he doesn't get involved in mine".
"French President Jacques Chirac, who counts Mr Annan among his close friends, yesterday offered his full support to the Secretary-General.
Speaking after meeting Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Germany, Mr Chirac said: "Germany and France reiterate their full support for Kofi Annan whose commitment to the aims of the United Nations is total."
I guess they are admittinng that the aims of the UN is to commit fraud, take bribes from murdering dictators and stand against the US.
Repeat: get us out of the UN -- this is a perfect time and we have legitimate reasons.
That is because they were all in on the Oil for Food scam.
"John Danforth, 68, announced his resignation after just five months in the job."
Dork.
Chirac's "close friends" are having a rough run lately.
These people would be sharing dinner with Hitler if given the chance.
Send Alan Keyes back to the UN... let them know how seriously we take them.
"Jacques Chirac, who counts Mr Annan among his close friends"
Two of a kind. Both are crooks.
In a move which caught some by surprise President Chirac announced that the entire French government will be moving to Vichy.
"let them know how seriously we take them."
LOL!! Good one.
Something just occurred to me, what ex-President has his eyes on Kofi's job? Interesting that now the MSM is starting to run with this story, what's their agenda?
Thank you, W!!!!
I second the motion and cast one ballot! Great idea.
"John Danforth, 68, announced his resignation after just five months in the job."
"Dork."
I don't agree. Danforth knows that the UN is going to be brought to its knees as the news of corruption in the "Oil-for-Fraud" scandal becomes common knowledge. And let's not forget the upcoming trial of Hussein scheduled for next year, which will show the details of his savagery and butchery, as well as the collusion with France and Germany. Why would anyone want to be caught in the middle of all of this? I sure wouldn't want to be perceived as lending legitimacy to an organization as fundamentally corrupt as the UN, which Danforth's continued involvement as US Ambassador to the UN would signify. I can understand why he got out now.
Maybe they can all share a cell at the Hague.
In a move which caught some by surprise President Chirac announced that the entire French government will be moving to Vichy.
----
I take the liberty to question only one part of your statement..the "will be" part.
Just as France and Germany used the UN to beat up the US in the run up to the Iraq War, so now will the US return the favor. The UN will be the punching bag, but France will be receiving the blows. The more that comes out about the oil for food scandal, the more France will be hurt. This will also give Bush the chance to pull funding away from the UN, further crippling it or making it irrelevant. The true nail in the coffin would be to form a true international security organization including the countries that truly weild power (read excluding France).
Bush won the election, and now its payback time, BIGTIME!!!
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