Is Kofi depressed?

[Mycroft]

Depressed Annan close to quitting over UN scandals
Sarah Baxter

KOFI ANNAN, the United Nations secretary-general, is said to be struggling with depression and considering his future. Colleagues have reported concerns about Annan ahead of an official report this week that will examine his son Kojo’s connection to the controversial Iraqi oil for food scheme.
Depending on the findings of the report, by a team led by the former US Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, Annan may have to choose between the secretary-generalship and loyalty to his son.

American congressional critics of the UN are already pressing him to resign over the mismanagement of the oil for food programme, and even his supporters have been dismayed by the scandals on his watch, including the sexual abuse of children by UN peacekeepers in Congo.

One close observer at the UN said Annan’s moods were like a “sine curve” and that he appeared near the bottom of the trough.

I guess he has been through a lot of stress lately.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1543360,00.html

 

[Mycroft]

I'll pull an AUP and bump my own thread, but at least I'll add something to it.

Annan to save face by saying son misled him
The Times
March 29, 2005
NEW YORK: Kofi Annan, struggling to survive as the UN Secretary-General, plans to blame his son for embroiling him in the oil-for-food scandal when a UN inquiry issues a harsh report today.

UN officials are hoping to deflect criticism of the UN chief by insisting that his son, Kojo, 29, misled him about payments that Kojo Annan received from a UN contractor.

Yikes! How will that effect family relations? Will people be removed from Christmas card lists?

In fairness to the UN, they really do seem to be trying to get to the bottom of this scandal. Maybe this newfound interest in credibility will have some momentum and carry over to other areas as well.

One can hope.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12686467^2703,00.html