Poor states block key UN reform in divisive vote

[Eugene]

Poor states block key UN reform in divisive vote

By Evelyn Leopold
Reuters
Friday, April 28, 2006; 9:35 PM

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Developing nations on Friday blocked the centerpiece
of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's management reform plan, a move that could lead
to a cut off of U.N. funds this summer.

<snip>

At the insistence of the United States, the assembly in December tied progress
on U.N. management reforms to approval of refinancing the U.N. budget on June 30.

<snip>

The showdown marked a power struggle for control of the United Nations between
developing nations, who form a majority of U.N. members and are home to much of the
world's population, and wealthy countries who pay the bills.

The rich countries back a bid by Annan to have more autonomy over U.N. bureaucracy.
But South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, head of a group of 132 developing nations,
fears some of the reform plans mask a power grab by wealthy nations for additional key jobs
in the bureaucracy.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/28/AR2006042801984.html

[rusty charly]

1. and these plans are poorly masked.

[maddezmom]

2. kick

[Judi Lynn]

3. Growing polarization between rich, poor nations over UN reforms

Growing polarization between rich, poor nations over UN reforms

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 30-Apr-2006 11:57 hrs

A divisive vote in a key UN General Assembly panel is the latest sign of the growing polarization between rich and poor nations over management reforms, diplomats say.
.
Despite opposition from wealthy nations, developing countries on Friday passed a resolution in the budgetary committee that effectively set back the reforms proposed by UN chief Kofi Annan.
.
The reforms, mandated by world leaders at their summit here last September after a series of corruption scandals, include giving the secretary general greater powers in exchange for greater accountability and measures to root out graft.
.
After days of marathon talks and an abortive last-minute compromise offer, developing nations backed by China and Russia adopted a text aiming to reassert the 191-member General Assembly's budget oversight responsibilities in the face of perceived US-led Western attemtps to erode them.
.
The vote -- 108 in favor, 50 against and three abstentions-- broke a 20-year tradition in the committee of reaching decisions by consensus rather than by a vote.
(snip/...)