Posted on 12/03/2004 2:51:43 PM PST by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) is calling on United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to step down over the growing U.N. oil-for-food scandal.
Ensign joins Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), who is heading an investigation into the oil-for-food program in Iraq, in stating Annan should resign.
Ensign told KRNV in Reno, Nev., that while nothing indicates Annan has personally benefited from the scandal, the corruption that has been uncovered took place on his watch, and he should be held accountable.
"Billions of dollars intended to aid the Iraqi people through the oil-for-food program were stolen while he was secretary-general," Ensign said. "Kofi Annan must be held accountable."
Ensign added that it is a clear conflict of interest for Annan to continue leading the organization while the investigation continues.
The senator said that the money Saddam Hussein received for the oil-for-food program was illegally used to rearm Iraq and in essence is now being used to kill U.S. troops.
Coleman's panel reported last month it has uncovered evidence that Hussein's government raised more than $21 billion in illegal revenue by subverting U.N. sanctions against Iraq, including the oil-for-food program.
Coleman said Annan has stonewalled the investigation and refused to provide his subcommittee access to internal U.N. audits and interviews with U.N. staff members.
Both the State Department and President Bush have called for a full investigation into the scandal.
See Earlier Stories:
Bush Calls for 'Full and Open' Probe of UN Oil-for-Food Program (Dec. 2, 2004)
Senator Wants UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Step Down (Dec. 1, 2004)
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All the US has to do is announce all dues/payments/funds to UN are suspended unless and until coffee-can steps down
Personally I wouldn't be suprised if black caucus members don't have a few embarrassing ties to Annan themselves. They do seem to be building quite a history with corrupt leaders.
There are indications that members have ties to ousted Haitian leader Aristide. Rumors of dealings with former Liberian leader Charles Taylor. In 2001 (I think) the black and hispanic caucus honored Zimbabwes dictator Robert Mugabe.
The republicans need to get over their fear of the race card being played at every opportunity and do what needs to be done.
We best be careful what we ask for, if Coffee steps down, Clinton may fill his shoes.
Not with W at the Helm.
It is time to clean house in the UN, but all it's doing is setting the stage for the next ruler who will lead the charge to sign an Israeli-Middle East peace treaty only to break that treaty 3 1/2 years later.
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Oh my he just dicovered he's adouble minority. LOL
Oh, yes...let Kofi stay indefinitely lest Clinton take his place.
PLEASE, we're dealing with reality here. Clinton is not getting the gig. He'll be implicated in this scandal.
An even stronger case could be made for a conflict of interest now that his son is strongly implicated.
I thought Kofi's job was on a rotation basis? The U.S. is NOT up next - thank goodness. By the time it is, maybe ol' Willie Hillbilly will be too old.
A better solution, we withdraw from the UN and kick the thugs and spies the hell out of the US. Then we start our own organization with only democratic governments.
I used to have some respect for Rangel, a Korean War vet. But that ended several years ago. He is a racist buffoon, IMHO.
No wonder Klinton wants to head up the U.N. so bad. It has the same accountability as the U.S. presidency (none if you're a liberal), the scam and bribe money is even better, and the corruption games have an international flair.
The U.S. is never on the rotation for anything in the U.N. But countries like Sudan, Syria, and China always have a seat at the table. Makes me want to barf.
... or you could use a pickup truck!
No way am am I saying leave Kofi alone. I am saying he won't resign. It's gonna take force to remove his sorry ass.
Your living in dreamland if you think any of these people at the U.N. will be held accountable, it aint gonna happen. If it does, then I'll buy everyone on this thread a beer!
I was responding to a call for this POS's indictment.
Suspending payments to this sewer will do nothing at all. We did it once before and this collection of turds are still here.
Until the people of the US, and I'm not talking about 52%, rise up and tell those criminals in Washington, in no uncertain terms, that either the UN goes or they go, NOTHING is going to happen.
Seeing as I have not watched the MSM in DECADES vcan someone tell me if this is making any of the new shows besides FOX or even the papers
I was thinking about what questions I would ask Mr. Ensign--does he support Ron Paul's bill to get the US out of the UN, does he support the NY State Assembly in witholding funds to upgrade the UN--when some Bozo calls in and asks Ensign what he's going to do about a Stealth that crashed in Bosnia and has been re-assembled in a warehouse and all our enemies are being invited to study it.
Jeezus H.
To Ensign's credit he just told the caller he was unaware of the incident and couldn't do anything since Congress was in recess.
Someone on Fox yesterday was asked if he agreed with getting Annan to resign and he said that no one could punish him because he has diplomatic immunity.. I am assuming this means everywhere because we know is stands in US. With the immunity he has no reason to resign and they have no recourse when in comes to supoenas for himself or his papers.
The only recourse I can see for us is to withhold ALL funds until he is gone.
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