Powell Lauds UN Chief, in First U.S. Defense

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) called Kofi Annan (news - web sites) a "good" U.N. secretary-general on Friday, after days in which Washington chose not to defend the diplomat against a U.S. senator's demand he resign.



It was unclear whether Powell's comments signaled genuine support for Annan, under fire over suspected corruption in the U.N.'s now-defunct Iraq (news - web sites) oil-for-food humanitarian program, or simply aimed to soften the widespread impression Washington has no great desire to back the U.N. chief.


"Secretary-General Annan is a good secretary-general," Powell told Reuters in the first positive comment about Annan from a top U.S. official since Sen. Norm Coleman (news, bio, voting record), a Minnesota Republican investigating the program, said he should resign because of the suspected oil-for-food abuses.


Powell, echoing the view of President Bush (news - web sites) -- who avoided any endorsement of Annan this week -- said people should wait until congressional and independent probes of the program are complete before reaching conclusions.




http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=578&e=6&u=/nm/20041203/pl_nm/un_powell_dc

Not sure I'd call "good" lauding Annan :eyes:

[bullimiami]

1. Good cop, Bad cop?

It sure looks like they are playing this game again.

[hlthe2b]

4. I guess we just proved "great minds think alike..." LOL

[hlthe2b]

2. More "good cop, bad cop...." Does anyone really buy into this crap

anymore?

[Inland]

3. Some endorsement.

"Remember me? I used to be a respected American before I shoveled a pile of shit at the Security Council, became isolated and powerless in my job and got forced out. I haven't got a damn bad thing to say about Halliburton or the US failures in Iraq, and I have no trouble associating with a criminal conspiracy pretending to be a government. And I endorse Kofi." Annan might as well eat a gun barrell.

[Strawman]

5. Senator Quimby should resign

for being a dipshit hack.

[LegalEagles]

6. If Koffi's son is truly involved

and if he is trying to cover up this problem, then he should go. If in fact the scheme is true, Koffi should not let the UN fall into chaos over his own failures.

French officials and reporters are starting to dig deep into this, thus I believe the outcome will be negative.

[Melodybe]

7. I like Annan he seems decent

I also don't buy the charges against him, since Chalabi is involved.

I think that Collin is trying to distance himself from Bushco, supporting Annan would be a good way to do that.

[LegalEagles]

9. How can we say that?

we don't buy the charges? Chalabi is very suspect, but with the French involved now and with proof Koffi's son was paid, it does not bode well.

Is there any high level organization corruption free???
The Catholic Church - NO
UN - NO
US Government - NO
anywhere?

[Just Me]

14. If the person in charge of every large organization,...

,...which had corrupt elements were forced to resign,...Bush and his entire neocon crew would be the FIRST to go.

Hey! I like that!!! :bounce:

With respect to Annan,...seems to me he is simply being tagged as a patsy by the "bad guys" because he likely holds the power to effectively reveal those "bad guys".

[underpants]

8. Annan is the new bad guy they don't want him to go away

they have to have a bad guy.

[Sara Beverley]

10. All I can say is I wish Kofi were President of the US instead of Bush!

At least he sounds like a respected world leader.

[msgadget]

11. 'Good'?

Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

[The White Tree]

12. Dear Senator Norm Coleman

If you believe Kofi Annan should step down from the head of the UN due to the suspected oil-for-food abuses then perhaps you would also pursue the stepping down of the following officials in charge of the United States due to suspected abuses in the administration of US taxpayer money for the reconstruction of Iraq as well as the suspected abuse of actual innocent human beings in the Abu Graib prison.

US President George W. Bush
US Vice President Dick Cheney
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield

Thank you for your vigilence sir.

P.S. It might not be that hard to do this, simply investigating the overwheling amount of suspected fraud that has occurred in this years presidential election may do the trick.

(I have not sent this letter to Norm Coleman as I am at work and was just perusing DU before going to do some Christmas shopping). Feel free to express yoursleves using this if you choose.

[Helga Scow Stern]

13. Thanks, I posted it at Yahoo.

http://post.news.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=m&board=37138469&tid=nmunpowelldc&sid=37138469&mid=29&n=1

Now I'll send it a few other places.

[0007]

15. Oh fuck I bet the freepers are beside themselves.

Colin is gonna get a ton of mail now. Even junior will hear about this one, cuz he ain't doing diddly squat. Ride 'em cowboy! I love a good rodeo

[jmatthan]

16. What worth a liar's analysis?

Colin Powell is a liar.

I do not think anyone needs to know his views on any subject!!

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland