Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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Conservative Attacks on the Secretary General
Former Secretary General Kofi Annan
Also See GPF's Pages on:
Kofi Annan
Articles and Documents
2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 1998 2007
Annan Leaves A Mixed Legacy (January 2, 2007)
This Inter Press Service article discusses the complex legacy left by Kofi Annan, whose ten-year term as the highest ranking official at the United Nations ended on December 31, 2006. The former UN chief weathered harsh criticism – especially over the “oil-for-food” scandal – from mostly conservative US politicians who often sought to discredit the organization. Global Policy Forum’s Executive Director James Paul says that “for all his faults, [Annan] should be seen as a strong Secretary General who served the United Nations well.”2005
Secret Meeting, Clear Mission: ‘Rescue’ UN (January 2, 2005)
The New York Times reports that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan attended a private meeting with prominent US foreign policy figures in December, at the height of attacks on him in the US press and in Congress. The article says Annan listened quietly while these self-styled "friends of the UN," led by former US ambassador Richard Holbrooke, offered sharp criticisms and insisted that the Secretary General "repair relations with Washington." Annan's cautious criticism of the US role in Iraq appears to have been the main trigger for this latest effort to bring the UN to heel.2004
Neo-Cons Hop on Extreme Right's Anti-UN Drive (November 30, 2004)
Neo-conservative hawks continue their attack on the UN, fueling their newest campaign on recent reports about the involvement of Secretary General Kofi Annan's son in the Oil-for-Food programme. The UN opponents, backed by conservative voices such as Fox News, the New York Times’ William Safire and the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, call for Annan’s resignation. (Inter Press Service)2003
Walking the Middle Ground, Annan Irks Extremes (October 31, 2003)
A Wall Street Journal editorial says that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is "more interested in defeating (U.S.) President George Bush than he ever was in toppling (Iraqi president) Saddam Hussein." Other commentators provide more moderate and substantive commentary on Annan's assertive response to US-backed Resolution 1511. (Inter Press Service)1998
US Rep. Gerals Soloman Says S.G. Should be "Horse Whipped" (March 31, 1998)
New York representative Gerald Solomon said Secretary General Kofi Annan should be “horse whipped” for calling US weapons inspectors in Iraq “cowboys,” and saying he could work with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The United Nations Association of the USA “regrets” Solomon’s comment, stating that it clearly differs from popular US opinion.
