Annan's Post at the U.N. May Be at Risk, Officials Fear

United Nations officials fear that Secretary General Kofi Annan may have lost the confidence of the organization's most powerful constituent, the United States. They also say members of the Bush administration may want Mr. Annan to resign because of his disagreements with Washington about Iraq and the growing scandal over the Iraq oil-for-food program. Concern at high levels of the secretariat was reinforced by President Bush's pointed refusal on Thursday to express confidence in Mr. Annan's continuing in office. He also linked American financial support to the United Nations to a full accounting of the program and Saddam Hussein's diversion of over $20 billion while under United Nations sanctions. "I look forward to the full disclosure of the facts, a good, honest appraisal of that which went on," Mr. Bush said.White House officials denied that the administration was seeking Mr. Annan's departure. "There really hasn't been any discussions about him stepping down," said Sean McCormick, the national security council spokesman. "Our view is that we've worked well with the secretary general on a range of issues, from the fight against global AIDS to elections in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that an investigation of the oil-for-food scandal should be pursued to the greatest extent possible." [more]

• Oil-for-Food Scandal: U.S.-Led Attack on the UN or Proof of Corruption That Could Take Down Kofi Annan? [more]