Annan calls on world leaders to back bold changes at UN

SECRETARY-GENERAL Kofi Annan urged world leaders yesterday to implement the boldest changes to the United Nations in its 60 year history.

Annan wants to expand the size of the Security Council, write a new definition of terrorism and strengthen protections for human rights.

In a speech to the 191 member General Assembly in New York, Mr Annan called for adopting his entire reform package at a summit of world leaders in September, and he warned countries against treating the list of proposals "as an a la carte menu, and select only those that you especially fancy". But getting leaders to agree on the package will not be easy because many countries have opposing views on issues ranging from reform of the powerful Security Council to creation of a new Human Rights Council to increasing development assistance to poor countries.

The timing of Mr Annan's appeal also raised some questions, coming just before former US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker releases the results of an investigation into the activities of Mr Annan and his son, Kojo, in relation to the scandal-ridden UN oil-for-food programme in Iraq. Kojo Annan worked in Africa for a company that had an oil-for-food contract.

Asked at a news conference how he believed the United States would respond to the report, Mr Annan said he hoped all countries would find its suggestions in their interests. Mr Annan is proposing the most extensive overhaul of the world body since it was founded in 1945.

His reform package calls for a realignment of the United Nations to give additional weight to key development, security and human rights issues. It also sets out plans to make the UN more efficient, open, and accountable - including strengthening the independence and authority of the UN's internal watchdog.

Mr Volcker's report on the secretary-general and his son is expected by the end of March, but Mr Annan is operating on the belief that he will be cleared.

Presenting the report in the General Assembly, Mr Annan said: "In any such list of proposals, there are items which seem more important to some than to others, and items about which some have reservations, while others consider them essential".

One of the major proposals in the package calls for a new Human Rights Council as a major UN organ - possibly on a par with the Security Council - to replace the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights. That panel has long faced criticism for allowing the worst-offending countries to use their membership to protect one another from condemnation.

Mr Annan also called for an expansion of the 15 member UN Security Council to reflect the global realities today, but he left the details to the General Assembly. He urged its 191 members to decide on a plan before the September summit.