So this is what one of the most corrupt organizations in the world has come to?
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said Annan will not be coerced by any nation to disclose his personal financial information.
“The U.N. is an inter-governmental organization,” Dujarric said. It is not a national government. [Financial] Disclosure forms are an internal control mechanism, they were filled out by about 1,000 staff members under the understanding that they would remain confidential.”
Dujarric was responding to remarks made by U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton to reporters on Friday when he called for Annan to publicly disclose his personal financial worth before he leaves office Jan. 1, 2007.
[…]While not required to do so under U.N. rules, many a staffer – as well many member states – felt that Annan “was morally obligated” to go the extra step in lieu of the ongoing financial scandal concerning the embezzlement-ridden Iraq Oil-for-Food Program.
To date, conservative estimates put the amount of missing funds at slightly more than $2 billion (U.S.) of which less than $20 million has been recovered.
So what we have here is an organization that “lost” 2 billion dollars and the leader of that organization won’t reveal how much he is worth…..a bit suspicious don’t you think? Hell, even Venezuela is calling for him to reveal the information:
Recent calls to “go public” have come from The Washington Times and The New York Sun newspapers.
On Friday evening, in a strange turn of events, Venezuela’s new U.N. ambassador added his name to the list calling for public disclosure.
In an interview with NewsMax, Ambassador Francisco Arias Cardenas sounded supportive of the United States: “It is the law in Venezuela that all government officials must declare their wealth in the public record before they take office.”
Kinda ironic that Kofi is so secretive when he has spoken of more transparency throughout the world:
“Of course, it is not just developed countries, but also developing countries that must do their part. That means devising national strategies bold enough to meet the development goals. It also means promoting accountable and transparent governance, adopting policies that will stimulate the private sector, and investing in human capital through education and health.” Address to the UN Economic and Social Council, 29 June 2005
“To make sure that the intergovernmental machinery has the support it deserves, we must also make sure that the United Nations Secretariat is much more nimble and responsive to changing needs. This is doubly important given the questioning that we have been facing. I am doing what I can under my authority, but I need the support of Member States to undertake more far-reaching reforms. What is required is a Secretariat that is more empowered and flexible, and at the same time more transparent and accountable.” Message to the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), St. Lucia, 3 July 2005 [Delivered by Under-Secretary-General Anwarul K. Chowdhury]
Now that is called not practicing what you preach.

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