Annan rejects call for resignation, Gambari, others affirm support
From Laolu Akande,
New York
UNITED Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, is not considering resignation despite calls for it over the controversial Iraqi oil-for-food programme. He already has the backing of several leading Africans at the world body, including Nigeria's former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari.
Annan, in an interview with the Financial Times published on Sunday, said that the calls were diversionary.
"I think resignation is comparatively easy," he said, adding: "It is much more difficult to stay on and continue to do the job you are elected to do, and focus on the important agenda of the organisation and the membership."
The world body's scribe has been under mounting pressure in the United States (U.S.) over the UN's supervision of Iraqi oil sales under the ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, in particular concerning new revelations about payments to his son, Kojo.
U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, who is leading a congressional probe, called on Annan to step down and said he had evidence that the UN official who ran the now-defunct programme, Benon Sevan, had received payoffs from Saddam's regime.
There has been no indication that Annan profited but the UN chief admitted there was a "perception problem" after it emerged that his son, Kojo kept receiving payments until February from a Swiss firm working under the programme.
Asked: "How are you bearing up personally?" Annan replied: "Obviously it's difficult for me as Secretary-General of the UN and as a father. But we need to continue with our work."
Annan asserted that Kojo had never lobbied him on behalf of anyone, adding that he had not been aware of any instances when the son might have traded on his name. He had never received any money from him although there had been occasions when Kojo would introduce him to friends.
"He knows that I have always been very sensitive about conflict of interests and it is not something that I would appreciate," Annan said.
After speaking to his son in recent days, "he (Kojo) indicated to me that he and his lawyers are co-operating with the Volcker commission (into the multi-billion-dollar oil-for-food programme). I encouraged him to do so."
Annan appealed for people to allow the UN reform process and investigations into alleged fraud in the oil-for-food programme to take their course.
"I wish we would all hold our horses and not jump to conclusions until the report of the investigative committee is in," he said.
He continued: "In today's atmosphere, where there is leak after leak and relentless negative articles, one can very easily gain the impression that everything that is alleged is true. You repeat it three or four times and you begin to believe it and expect everybody else to believe it."
Annan conceded that there were grounds for criticism of the way the UN was managed. "I would accept there are some constructive criticisms, which we take very seriously," he said.
"I'm not implying we are a perfect organisation, that we've not made mistakes but we are trying constantly to improve the situation." For example, he said: "The administration of justice in the organisation is something that we are aware has some weaknesses, often delays and bottlenecks. We have tried to improve the system and also to find other methods of resolving some of these issues as quickly as we can."
Also, while there were many bright UN employees, he added, "we need to improve our management of our human resources. There's no doubt we can do a better job in identifying, attracting and retaining the best talent."
Gambari at the weekend advised that Annan be allowed to fulfil his term gloriously.
The former Permanent Representative to the UN, an Under-Secretary General and Special Adviser for Africa at the world body, spoke in New York on Saturday evening at a reception held in his honour by friends and family to commemorate his 60th birthday last month.
He argued that Annan remains one of the greatest secretaries-generals of the world body. He expressed hopes that the current phase of criticisms of the UN under Annan watch would soon pass.
At the event, another international scholar, Prof. Chudi Uwazurike, condemned the series of criticisms coming the way of Annan from the conservative sections of U.S. media.
Uwazurike, a professor and political sociologist at the City University of New York (CUNY), questioned why Annan should be the butt of media criticisms and urged that all Africans and well-meaning people should stand behind Annan.
Many believe that attacks against Annan from U.S. quarters are connected with his principled stand against U.S. invasion of Iraq, which he said was illegal.
Meanwhile, Gambari told the audience, which included African Ambassadors, top UN officials, diplomats, and distinguished Nigerian professionals in the US among others, that it is a myth to call Nigeria a federal state.
According to him, the founding fathers of Nigeria wanted a system that would give an opportunity for the diversity of the people. But he lamented that this is not what obtains in the country today. He said: "We have a centralised government in fact but federal in name."
He noted that it was because of this centralisation that the struggle to become president in Nigeria has become a do or die affair.
Gambari said that while it is possible to survive corruption, which he does not condone, the country could not survive the muzzling of the people's desire to be diversified.
A second myth he pointed to was the that Nigeria was ungovernable. Gambari said what is true is that without justice there can be no peace or development. "We have to make sure that there are no second class Nigerians, everybody must feel a sense of belonging, you cannot say do as I say and not do as I do."
A third myth, according to him, is that if Nigerians discussed the future of the country that would lead to a break up. "We have to discuss the future of our country. It is mistaken to think otherwise, nobody serious wants to break Nigeria up," he said.
The international relations expert said however that it is important that Nigerians talk as a nation about how to govern themselves, expressing encouragement that it seems the Federal Government now seems to be understanding the need for such a forum. He said the earlier such a forum is convened, the better for the country.
According to him the issue of who should govern Nigeria is not about individuals, "but people have to tell us where they are taking us to, what are the priorities, strategies and proposals and then let Nigerians decide who has better record of achievements."
Gambari, who with his wife, Fatimah Asake (nee Oniyangi) was a guest of honour, said he believed the idea of Nigeria would never die, "but we need to make that idea a reality." He rounded off his speech by drawing a commitment from all the audience that every one of them would do all they could to realise the Nigerian potential.
Guests at the event included the Kenyan Ambassador to the UN, her Angolan counterpart, a representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Patrick Hayford; Director of African Affairs in Annan's office, famous plastic surgeon, Dr. Ferdinand Ofodile; as well as author and scholar, Prof. Uwazurike. The list also included Dr. Peter Isemobor, Vice President of UBS, a New York bank, Dr. Orobola Fasheun and Mr. Eloho Otubu of the UN. Col. Giwa Amu, Nigeria's Defence Attache to the UN, Chief Ike Nwade of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-U.S. and several Americans, African-Americans, family and friends of Gambari.
