BEIJING, June 16 -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, brushing aside the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal, ruled out the possibility of resignition and said he was committed to reforming the United Nations.

 

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, brushing aside the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal, ruled out resigning and was committed to reforming the United Nations. (Reuters file photo)

    Annan made comments following a newly disclosed memo which appeared to cast doubt on his insistence he was unaware of a bid by a Swiss firm that employed his son for a lucrative contract under oil-for-food program.

    Several U.S. Republican lawmakers have accused Annan of mismanagement and called for his resignation.

    "I am determined to work with the member states to conduct these reforms well," Annan told Thursday's Le Figaro daily, referring to his proposed reform package for the United Nations.

    A U.S. congressional report on Wednesday criticized the United Nations for lacking oversight and accountability and urged rapid management reforms by Annan.

    Annan said the United Nations was confronted with a new threat from the U.S. Congress to suspend contributions to obtain reforms.

    "It's a good thing if a country like the United States makes proposals for reforms and is entirely committed. But these proposals must be discussed by the member states so that they can be decided in a calm and reflected way, without being submitted to threats."

    Annan in March put forward proposals on UN reforms, including a new human rights body, rules on pre-emptive wars, and management reforms. Enditem

(Agencies)