LONDON- British Prime Minister TonyBlair on Thursday strongly endorsed the leadership of United NationsSecretary-General Kofi Annan, who is under fire over allegations of kickbacksand bribes in the U.N. oil-for-food program.
Blairwelcomed Annan’s call for the U.N. to be reformed and said despite personal andpolitical difficulties, he has been “a tremendous unifier” for theinternational community.
“It isbeen a tough time in the international community and it has been a very toughtime for the United Nations Secretary-General,” said Blair, launching a Londonseminar on UN reform which Annan addressed.
“I happento think in that very tough time that he has handled himself with greatdistinction, with a lot of wisdom and in difficult circumstances has been atremendous unifier.
“I knowvery it has not always been easy for him politically or personally but Kofi Iwanted to say to you how pleased we are to have you here and how warmly wewelcome you and how much we regard your Secretary-Generalship of the UnitedNations,” he added.
The Londonseminar is regarded as a strong endorsement of Annan’s reform agenda. WhilePresident Bush twice refused to back Annan amid calls for his resignation,Blair has strongly supported the secretary-general.
Annan ispushing for major U.N. reforms, including an expansion of the Security Council.But there are concerns that allegations of widespread corruption in the programthat allowed deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s government to sell oiland use the proceeds to buy food, medicine and other humanitarian goods, couldderail the plans.
Addressingthe seminar, Annan insisted the United Nations had an important role to play inworld affairs, but needed improvement.
“You seethe world does need a forum for collective decision-making and it needs aninstrument of collective action,” said Annan.
“Ourfounders intended the United Nations to be both those things. Our task is toadapt and update it so that it can perform those functions in the 21stcentury,” he added.
Annannoted that he had “just under two years” left to serve. “As I look ahead to theremainder of my term, I feel a real sense of excitement and commitment,” hesaid, adding that priorities would be carrying through U.N. reforms, tacklingpoverty in the developing world, the transition to democracy in Iraq and theMiddle East peace process.
SeveralU.S. congressional committees have been investigating allegations of corruptionin the oil-for-food program. Concerns about Annan’s leadership deepened withthe release of an interim report last week, led by former U.S. Federal ReserveChairman Paul Volcker, which criticized U.N. management of the program.
Annan saidhe wanted action on two U.N. reports published recently.
Ahigh-level panel report called for sweeping reform of the United Nations in thewake of bitter divisions over the U.S.-led war in Iraq. It called for anexpanded and more active Security Council with authority to take action toprevent conflicts or potential genocides.