Kofi Annan’s Sweeping Reforms to Save His Job!

The United Nations is one of the most disunited, corrupt and ungovernable organization in the world. And, if its leader were held to the minimal standards of governance required of leaders at charitable organizations in the United States, he would have already been indicted on a battery of criminal and civil offenses. (Click here for a delineation of the more egregious infractions and failures by UN staffers under the leadership of this organization’s (putative) chief executive officer, Kofi Annan.)

Nevertheless, for the past 2 years, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan maintained an almost indignant resistance to President Bush’s efforts to reform the culture of malfeasance at the United Nations. But last night – manifesting a Saul of Tarsus-like conversion – Annan announced sweeping reforms of his organization that reflect many of the transformative features of the once derided Bush doctrine to make the world safe for democracy.

In fact, over the past few years, the world has witnessed political transformations in countries from Afghanistan to Lebanon that many assumed were impossible without cataclysmic clashes of ideologies, cultures and religions. And, it is a profound indictment of Annan’s leadership that the UN remained virtually irrelevant to all of these international developments. But, with the simplistic conviction of an idiot savant, Bush declared his intent to force these transformations and has, so far, defied and confounded his detractors with his remarkable progress.

Washington insiders, however, are not surprised that Annan has now seen the light. But what a bitter pill it must be for him to gulp down reforms that the world sees as being forced upon the UN by Bush. After all, not too long ago, Annan was basking in the French glow of opposition to almost every facet of Bush’s transformative world view.

Co-conspirators, Kofi and Jacque Chirac: Don’t worry Kofi, that stupid cowboy will be gone in a few months….You know, John Kerry even speaks french!

Back then, the world seemed so aligned against the US that Annan must have felt insulated from any imposition by the Bush administration. Indeed, Annan even went so far as to declare America’s invasion of Iraq a violation of both the UN Charter and International Law: a declaration from which many people inferred his not so subtle wish to see Bush defeated in the forthcoming US presidential elections.

Well, Annan has been biting his tongue ever since. And, his self-flagellation became especially acute after Bush’s decisive reelection as President of the United States. But for those of us who always admired his political equanimity, Annan’s undiplomatic and, incidentally, incorrect declaration about the invasion of Iraq reeked of political opportunism that seemed way out of character. Unfortunately, his political instincts failed him miserably and thus began his performance of penance.

Annan’s penitent journey began in New York City last December when he was summoned to a council of friends – who just happened to be the liberal cardinals of the American and British politics. These father confessors were appropriately concerned that Annan’s lapses in judgment threatened to eclipse his notable accomplishments as UN secretary general. And, a suppliant Annan was anxious to receive their absolution and imposition of the penitent acts he would have to perform to redeem himself in the eyes of President Bush.

A penitent Kofi endearing himself to Bush’s good grace…

Thankfully, his expiation culminated in Washington DC a few weeks ago when Annan threw himself at the mercy of Bush’s most trusted adviser, Dr. Condoleeza Rice, in a desperate effort to save his job. He succeeded. He had been redeemed…with conditions!

Therefore, we should see these reforms for what they are: The price Kofi Annan must pay to keep his job. Nevertheless, if Nanny John Bolton (Bush’s new man at the UN) nurtures their implementation, these reforms will redound to the good of the world.

Instructive Note: For 10 years, UN ditherers and malingerers have been debating a definition of “Terrorism” that would satisfy the United States and countries like North Korea and Syria. But the newly converted Annan has given them 5 months to resolve the matter (presumably on US terms) or else…. Imagine that!

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