U.N. Elections Official Accused of Tolerating Harassment

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/18/AR2005081801525.html

U.N. Elections Official Accused of Tolerating Harassment

By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 19, 2005; Page A15

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 18 -- The U.N.'s top electoral official, Carina Perelli, was accused by the U.N.'s personnel department of presiding over an office that tolerated sexual harassment of staff, U.N. officials said Thursday. But Perelli, 48, a Uruguayan elections expert, was cleared of allegations that she misused U.N. funds.

The findings represented a major professional blow for an official who had won praise from President Bush for her role in preparing for national elections in Iraq. If the findings are not overturned by appeal, Perelli could face disciplinary actions, including dismissal.

Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for the United Nations, said Perelli received an Aug. 4 letter from the U.N. human resources office outlining accusations "relating to management and harassment issues in the electoral affairs division." Perelli, who declined a request for comment through a subordinate, responded in writing last Friday. The United Nations would not release her statement.

The former U.N. undersecretary general for political affairs, Kieran Prendergast, contracted a consulting firm in December to review Perelli's department following staff complaints about working conditions. The Swiss firm Mannet SARL concluded that Perelli exhibited favoritism for a small "inner circle" of employees while creating a workplace that was "abusive" and "offensive" for others.