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dezembro 17, 2004
EU backs embattled UN chief
Fonte: France Press
The European Union expressed support for embattled UN chief Kofi Annan after talks in Brussels focussed on proposals to reform the world body.
"Kofi Annan can be sure that the EU is a partner of him and the UN. We wish you all the best in your activities," said Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.
"There was a clear support for the (UN) secretary general, because we all realise that he is very aware of the fact that we need an effective multilateral system."
Annan has been under pressure over the scandal-plagued UN oil-for-food programme for Iraq, in which his son was involved, with some US politicians calling for him to step down.
Annan briefed the EU leaders about plans for what could be the biggest reform of the United Nations since its founding in 1945, contained in a report drawn up earlier this month by a high-level team.
The UN panel's report, released on December 1, proposed more than 100 recommendations, including some -- an expansion of the Security Council and a definition of terrorism -- that have eluded UN diplomats for years.
The proposals will serve as the basis for recommendations to be drawn up by Annan next March, which will then be presented to a planned global summit in September ahead of the 60th annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
Publicado por esta às dezembro 17, 2004 04:37 PM