Ebou,

I know you directed this to Yus, but I just wanted to throw in my two cents
since i sent the original commentary. I am sure that it would be naive beyond
belief for anyone to asume that commentary such as I or others have offered
means we thinkAnnan is all powerful in his job because as you rightly pointed
out, he does have to walk a tight rope. However, it is easy for anyone to
assume an office and become a rubber stamp.Comments like mine are given in
the hope that every once in a great while, someone who strives to do the
right thing despite the constraints of the office will come along. it is
those souls who oftentimes shake and move things forward, but there are not
too many of them unfortunately.

Jabou Joh

In a message dated 9/7/00 1:07:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


 Mr. Yus,
 Frustrations over the UN performance is ubiquitous.  The weight of the UN
 Secretary General's office is very very limited; somehow though the
 individual personality of the incumbency does generate a variable effect, as
 during the legendary tenure of Dag Hammerskjold.  Yet that is also subject
 to alot of other intangible circumstances i.e his charisma, the
 international political climate, and of course the political will of the
 Security Council. Nowadays it is very common to hear the all powerful Sen.
 Jesse Helms chastising the UN, and oftentimes threatening crucial cash
 trapped UN programs.  Even Pat Buchanan has joined the UN bashing lately,
 promising to kick the UN out of New York if elected this fall!
 Considering the circumstances surrounding his nomination to the job, and the
 fate of his predecessor Mr Botrous Ghali, the gentleman has to walk a very
 tight political line, balancing alot of issues along the way.  He has very
 little latitude for ideological adventures or personal convictions.

 E.
 ___ >>

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