Annan must release his financial forms
October 16, 2006
Tribune Chronicle
Original Source: http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/Editorials/articles.asp?articleID=9937

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan frequently and publicly wonders why so many people don’t like the world body. He provided a large part of the answer to his own question two weeks ago.

During the last years of Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror over Iraq, the dictator made use of the U.N. ‘‘oil for food’’ program to enrich himself and rebuild his army. Proceeds from the program were supposed to buy food and medicine for Iraqis. U.N. officials were supposed to have made certain of that.

But they did not — and it turned out that a substantial number of them were taking kickbacks from Saddam in exchange for not doing their jobs. After that was revealed, Annan grudgingly ordered that U.N. officials would have to file financial disclosure forms.

Annan has filed his forms — but they will not be released to the public. Technically, Annan is not an employee of the United Nations, so he is not required to release the forms.

Refusal of the U.N. leader to allow public scrutiny of his own financial affairs raises questions. It certainly does nothing to restore faith in the United Nations.

Annan is retiring. If his successor wants to do a better — make that acceptable — job, he will set a better example for others at the United Nations.