Kofi Annan's Shrinking Credibility

Article about Kofi Annan:

Excerpts:

Annan firmly rejected accusations in the report that Saddam attempted to bribe members of the U.N. Security Council through the Oil-for-Food
program:

"I don't think the Russian or the French or the Chinese
government would allow itself to be bought because some of his companies are getting relative contracts of the Iraqi authorities. I don't believe that at all. I think it's inconceivable, these are very serious and important governments. You are not dealing with banana republics."

This is an incredible statement, even for Annan. Only "banana republics" are capable of being bribed? Puh-leez. Pretty good diplomacy, by the way. I wonder what all those countries that aren't "serious and important governments" think of such words. What leadership! What pizzaz!

What a dolt.

Wonder why Annan would say something so silly, in light of the overwhelming evidence of corruption with the program?

In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the role of Kojo Annan, Kofi’s son, in connection to his role as a paid consultant to Cotecna Inspection SA, a Swiss-based company that received a contract for inspecting goods shipped to Iraq under the Oil-for-Food program.

Yes, yes. No one would do such a thing. My son told me so!

And while I'm at it, forget about how much of an international criminal Saddam was...

Significantly, Annan’s remarks to ITV Newsregarding Oil for Food were coupled with a thinly veiled attack on the Bush Administration just two weeks before the U.S. presidential election. Annan again criticized the decision of the U.S. government to go to war against Iraq, firmly rejecting the notion that the world is a safer place with Saddam Hussein out of power:

"I cannot say the world is safer when you consider the violence around us, when you look around you and see the terrorist attacks around the world and you see what is going on in Iraq."

Even John Kerry said anyone who doesn't think the world is safer without Saddam is unworthy to hold office. I hope he remembers that if he is elected, and immediately calls for Annan to step down from the U.N. Presidency.

Kofi Annan’s latest comment is a reflection not only of the U.N. Secretary General’s stunning lack of diplomatic skill, but also his deep-seated resentment of the United States’ decision to go to war against Iraq without his blessing. The U.S. public, which currently funds 22 percent of the U.N. budget, deserves better than a spectacularly undistinguished Secretary-General who can barely hide his contempt for U.S. foreign policy and has steadfastly refused to acknowledge that Saddam Hussein attempted to manipulate the U.N. Security Council.

John Kerry's insistence on utilizing a Worldwide Test and his admiration for the U.N. worries me. If by some chance he is elected, I hope we will be on guard for an undermining of our own national soverignty.