THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (1 f g FEB-6W7 30 January 1997 EOSG/CENTRA

Dear Ambassador Abram, I should like to thank you for your letter dated 18 December, which reached the on 9 January. I greatly regret that the exceptional workload associated with my recent appointment has precluded my responding before now. I deeply appreciate the valuable work performed by UN Watch. I believe that informed and independent evaluation of the United Nations' activities will prove a vital resource as we seek to adapt the Organization to the needs of a changing world. I can promise you that^I will pay close attention to your observations and*views in the years ahead. I should also like to express to you my personal appreciation for your most interesting reflections on the "bully pulpit" offered by the Secretary-General's office, and for your congratulations upon my own appointment. Please accept my sincere thanks for your kind and encouraging words, together with my very best wishes for the future.

Yours sincerely,

Kofi AT—Annan

Ambassador Morris B. Abram Chairman United Nations Watch MORRIS B. ABRAM ^j-'j Ij UNITED NATIONS WATCH OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN n p fl-9(997

Mr. Secretary-General Designate UN Headquarters New York U.S.A.

Personal & Confidential

Geneva, 18 December 1996

My dear Kofi,

This is the last time I shall address you thusly.

First, I wish to congratulate you and especially the United Nations and all of its family on your election. "™

Next, I would like to introduce you to UN Watch of which I am the founding Chairman. Eric Herman, who until recently was Under-Secretary-General Petrovsky's former Special Assistant (and prior to that was the UNTAC Assistant Spokesman) has now become our Executive Director.

I enclose a brief statement of the purpose of UN Watch. You will know some of the members of our board which includes Lane Kirkland, Per Ahlmark, , Chaim Herzog and Jeane Kirkpatrick.

We have been very supportive of such international operations as the High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross and most of the independent UN agencies. We have been critical of the recent history of WHO (see article enclosed).

We have had a good relationship with Mr. Paschke -- the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services ~ and I am enclosing some recent communications so that you will have preliminary insight into present concerns. Particularly, we are troubled by the reappointment of an Assistant Secretary General as late as November 4th giving him a contract to the end of this century.

QUAIGUSTAVE-ADOR 56 • 1207 GENEVA • TEL. (41-22) 700 39 15 • FAX (41-22) 700 39 17 |.. V We have expressed anxiety to Mr. Paschke lest there be other such extensions or promotions of high officials in the remaining days of this term.

I hope you will find our views helpful whether you agree or not.

When Javier Perez de Cuellar spoke on 14 October to UN Watch's public annual meeting in Geneva I said, and I repeat, that the UN has been the only great organization not under a "watch" dedicated to its own stated purpose.

I have such great hopes for the UN under your leadership. And I have expressed one particular hope in an article (enclosed) submitted to the International Herald Trit

So if it is not published -- you may still find the idea of use.

I do wish you nothing but success and personal satisfaction as you undertake this awesome responsibility.

Cordially,

"orris B. Abram

Attachments

Dictated but not read What is United Rations WatchP

United Nations Watch is a Geneva-based non-profit association of individuals and organizations throughout the world. Formed under Swiss law at the initiative of the World Jewish Congress in 1993, it is governed by an independent international board.

Chaired by Morris B. Abram, the former US Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, the Board of UN Watch includes Jeane Kirkpatrick, the former US Ambassador to the UN in New York; Lane Kirkland, head of the American labor movement; Edgar Bronfman, the President of the World Jewish Congress; Chaim Herzog, the former President of Israel; Father Stansilaw Musial of Poland; and Per Ahlmark, the former Deputy Prime-Minister of Sweden.

The mission of the Watch is to measure the United Nations according to the yardstick of its Charter in selected areas. Recently, the Watch has focused on the following Charter promises: • "The equal rights ... of nations large and small" • "The equal rights of men and women" specifically in the UN Secretariat; • the employment of a Secretariat which "shall not seek or receive instructions from any government" and is based on "the highest standards of efficiency, competency and integrity."

UN Watch publishes a twice-monthly column in the Earth Times, the New York-based international publication which focuses on the UN, and as of October 1995 will have a regular column in Geneva's most prestigious paper, The Journal de Geneve. The Watch's op-eds have also appeared in , The International Herald Tribune, , The Washington Times, The Jerusalem Post, and The Toronto Star. UN Watch gathers, analyzes and distributes information relating to UN performance, and issues periodic reports of its findings.

In its first year of operation, UN Watch was credited with securing the first ever substantial condemnation of anti-Semitism by a UN body, the Commission on . This condemnation was accompanied by the creation of a Special Rapporteur, or investigator, to research the status of discrimination and anti-Semitism throughout the world.

For more information, please contact the UN Watch offices at:

56 Quai Gustave Ador, 1207, Geneva, phone: (41.22) 700-3915 fax: (41.22) 700-3917 THE EARTH TIMES / OPINION 27 JULY 15-30.1996

MORRIS B. ABRAM The case against WHO'S Nakajima

ENEVA—The World Hcallh doubled since Dr. Nakajima took office, They have the additional pressure of the Organization, the UN agency from seven in 19S8 to 13 today [1994]." family and so on and so on. So this is one. charged with "the attainment by all BMJ also reported that, "Staff complain Problem oflanguagc I have mentioned. peoples of the highest possible level that Dr. Nakajima's management style is Particularly our African stiff is very good G UN autocratic... Directorial appointments arc speaker but for drafting or editing or uiuing of health," is in deep crisis. Under constant attack for lack of vision, struggling to cope made al his discretion, bypassing the senior a document sometimes is difficult with chronic financial difficulties, and WATCH staff selection committee." These The absence of Africans in senior renowned for poor senior management, the appointments included Dr. David Barmcs, a positions at that time was also widely noieJ. agency has now seen its staff morale hit an dentist, who was made Associate Director In February 1995, one month after Ihe all-time low, with many competent and of the Division of Non-Communicablc alleged comment, The Geneva Post experienced people cither resigning or reports Rightcr, thai Dr. Yugi Kawaguchi, a Diseases, responsible for the global fight reported that of the WHO'S 46 directorial taking golden handshakes. A senior staffer, Japanese promoted to WHO director of against cardiovascular disease, cancer, posts,"... Only one [is] held by a person speaking on condition of anonymity, says planning by Nakajima, had disregarded diabetes, and osteoporosis, and Mmc. Marie from Africa, who was appointed before that the WHO has so lost its way, and has WHO vetting procedures and allocated five Hclcne Lcclcrcq, originally hired for a non- Nakajima's nomination." become so corrupt, that it is beyond contracts of up toSISO.OOO each to professional post who—despite having no Yet in spite of the bad odor surrounding redemption. "If it is ever again to gain the individuals or institutions represented on academic qualifications in accounting, Nakajima's administration, the WHO respect and admiration of the world's public the board. finance, management or communicable Executive Board decided this year that its health community, the organization must be The NAO report, together with an internal diseases—was put in charge of "Method, new rule—limiting WHO Directors General completely and thoroughly reformed from auditor's report that confirmed the findings, Management and Coordination" in the to two terms—cannot be applied the top down." was presented at that year's World Health same division, with seniority to the heads of retrospectively. In other words, Nakajima is But how did this once proud and Assembly, but even so Nakajima was the cardiovascular and cancer units. free to run for a third term al next year's visionary organization, credited with rcclectcd by 93 votes (o 58, the first WHO Nakajima's second term was also marked World Health Assembly. The 1996 World eliminating the smallpox virus and making Director General not to be unanimously by further allegations of financial Health Assembly appeared to ratify the vasi strides in the worldwide 6ghl against elected. This was after an acrimonious irregularities. In May 1995, Sir John Bourn, Executive Board's resolution, though tuberculosis and cholera, hit such dire debate, during which several African and had of the NAO, resigned as WHO external Nakajima has yet to announce his s(r;iiLs? There is general agreement among Asian delegates backed a Bolivian charge auditor after complaining that a lack of the Geneva diplomatic community, WHO that the West's attack was really aimed al cooperation from the WHO leadership made staff and the worldwide public health developing countries. his job impossible, He had previously issued community that much of the blame for the a report alleging fraud, irregular payments decline and fall of the WHO can be placed at and accounting malpractice at WHO 's the feet of its current Director General, Dr. oon after his reelection, a senior African regional office in the Congo. On Hiroshi Nakajima. Japanese WHO staffer wrote to his resigning, reported The Times of London, According to longtime UN watcher S country's foreign ministry calling for Sir John strongly criticized the WHO'S Rosemary Richlcr (Utopia Los!, Twentieth the Director General to step down. N. contracting procedures and travel Century Fund), most member states Shinfuku, regional adviser in menial health arrangements. He said that his staff had l-.-r....ut:i:.j.ii.-n to!v uf insufficient stature and drug dependence from il.c Rcgion.il faced an "increasingly contentious attitude ;or ihe jol> ol Director General. But, says Office for the Western Pacific, said that from the jccrcumal, leading to a complete Rightcr. ihe West did far loo little to stop another live years of leadership by the withdrawal. "This," said The Times, "had Nikajima's election in 1988 after his Japanese head of the Organization "will be made it impossible for him to continue in respected predecessor, Halfdan Mahler, a nightmare to the Japanese government his post when his contract runs out." completed his second term. Leon and a catastrophe to the WHO." But, as if mismanagement were nol Gordcnker (US Policy and the Future of And, indeed, during Nakajima's second enough, other damning personal Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima. the United Nations, Twentieth Century term, the WHO went into deeper decline. accusations were also made during both Fund) notes that Nakajima was rapidly seen Some member states began to withhold Nakajima's first and second terms, charges candidacy. The members of the Western to display "a lack of interest or ability in contributions, many deeply dissatisfied with which go right to the heart of the Director European and Others Group (wuoc) forming broad policy goals," an accusation an organization that was spending 15 General's administration. For instance, should make it clear that such a candidacy substantiated by Nakajima's later attempt to percent of its roughly SI billion per annum information surfaced about Nakajima's would be unacceptable to them. formulate a vision statement for the WHO budget on salaries and overhead. Other connections to Ryoichi Sasakawa, who, under the heading, "The New Paradigm." members were unhappy with the direction reported the Sunday Telegraph, has "well- So inchoate was this plan that senior staff at in which the WHO was moving in terms of its documented" links with unsavory n the meantime, a group of WHO the WHO now refer to it as "The New programming priorities. The Wall Street characters. Sources suggested that directors has presented the Director Parody." Journal, for instance, reported in 1994 that Sasakawa's philanthropic fund contributed I General with a policy document, setting Two years after Nakajima's initial the WHO'S budgetary contribution to the to Nakajima's election campaigns. To this out a hierarchy of priorities for streamlining appointment. Dr. Jonathan Mann, a world- fight against TB—a major and treatable day, Sasakawa's bust stands in the foyer of the organization. This document, prepared renowned expert on AIDS and public world health problem—had been reduced Ihe WHO. "in desperation," according to a BMJ health, resigned as head of the WHO'S from 16 percent to 12.5 percent between Controversy also erupted over a rental editorial, includes a recommendation th;it Global Program on AfDS, citing 1984 and 1994, including a 6 percent subsidy which it was alleged Nakajima put high level directorships be cut from 45 to "systematic interference" with his reduction in Asia and a 25 percent toward the purchase of a house in not more than 20 positions. As of the third management and Nakajima's lack of reduction in Africa, where the largest Chambcsy some months after arriving in week of June, Nakajima had made no reply commitment to its objectives. At the time, number of people are infected. Geneva. According to the BMJ, WHO'S to the document and, indeed, has made nn however, Rightcr points out that diplomatic Commentators cited this fact as an example Director of Personnel, Mr. Herbert reply to an invitation to address the facts protest was minimal, a British Minister of the organization's failure to prioritize Crockett, was transferred to Lyons as a and circumstances presented in this article. calling the departure "an internal staff properly. Allegations of cronyism and result of disputing the issue with Nakajima. Even if Nakajima steps down after his matter, just a question of personalities." But corruption became rife during the second Crockett was replaced by a retired second term, he will already have done by 1992, says Rightcr—when Nakajima term. While junior and mid-level staff subordinate. The ILO Administrative much damage to the WHO. And the wider began to travel the world seeking reelection positions disappeared in response to the Tribunal lalcr struck down the transfer and implications of allowing Nakajima a third for a second term—his undesirable effect on ongoing financial crisis, senior posts reinstated Crockett elsewhere in the term arc deeply disturbing. The UN is j the WHO was evident, and the US and the proliferated, some filled by people with little Geneva headquarters. vital organization, the need for w hich jrn»> Europeans sought to persuade the Japanese or no experience in public hcalik According A comment made by Nakajima in a with every rew mechanical, scientific and not to back "their" man for a second term. to the British Medical Journal (in one of a January 1995 personnel mccring—in which political link in this increasing))' connected When that failed, the West backed an scries of seven critical pieces which the Director General allegedly made racial world. When disenchantment occurs with .1 Algerian ncurosurgcon, Muhammad appeared in that journal from November slurs against Africans—became a cause of respected unit such as the WHO there is a Abdclmoumcnc. But when it came to the 1994 to March 1995), the number of great contention. The Director General was tendency to bash the UN—a dangerous WHO Board in January 1993, Nakajima won directorial appointments made at widely reported to have said: practice. The governing bodies uf (he WHO the nomination by ISvotcsto 13. There Nakajima's discretion, and which bypassed "Problem of African transfer from Africa have a responsibility beyond th.it were, however, strong implications of the senior selection committee, rose from 66 to Headquarters or other place; organization when they meet to decide the improper influence, so the United Slates in 1988 to 114 in 1994. Further, said the two aspects; one is adaptation in the culture fate of the current Director General. and the European Community urgently journal, "the number of lop ranking and several staff coming from Africa... Moms B. Abrarn is the chairman ol UN Waicn requested the British National Audit Office employees above director level, all earning Unfortunately unable to adapt in the and Ihe former US Permanent Representative (NAO) to conduct a special review. It found, around $80,000 per annum, has nearly culture, predominantly in the western way. to the UN in Europe. MORRIS B. ABRAM UNITED NATIONS WATCH OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN

Mr. Karl Th. Paschke Under-Secretary General for Internal Oversight Services United Nations United Nations Plaza New York, N.Y. 1001 USA

Geneva, 5 June 1996

Confidential

Dear Mr. Paschke,

As you know the UN Watch was established more than three years ago "to measure UN performance by the yardstick of the Charter." Amongst the areas in which we have concentrated is the Charter mandate which in dealing with the Secretariat places paramount importance on "efficiency, competence and integrity." Indeed, my interest in remaining in Geneva, following my years as U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN here, was and remains my very deep concerns about the state of the Secretariat. Particularly I had observed the operation of "old boys networking," and the lack of openness and accountability, which are the hallmarks of bad bureaucracy and which flourishes in the UN:

Therefore, I certainly hailed the establishment of your office and your appointment and was delighted with your rapid response and your immediate travel to Geneva when the so called scandal erupted in UNCTAD here.

This issue has elevated and illustrated so well the general malaise — or worse ~ in the UN system. Yesterday I was brought face to face with an example of the underlying problem.

As the UNCTAD fraud labeled by the information office here as a "scandal" more serious than any "from the memory of the international civil service," it had to have roots and tentacles deeper and wider than the suspect. Perhaps, I thought, this case could lead to uncover failures not only within UNCTAD but in other echelons in the UN here.

QUAIGUSTAVE-ADOR 56 • 1207 GENEVA • TEL. (41-22) 700 39 15 • FAX (41-22) 700 39 17 Confidential

Reviewing the tables of organization I saw that the Officer in Charge of the Division of Administration of the United Nations Offices in Geneva (UNOG) was also the Chief of Financial Resources Management (CFRM) for UNOG. From a very preliminary check I understood that CFRM office countersigned for disbursements of the magnitude said to be involved in the scandal. That "fact," if substantiated plus the overarching responsibility of the office of administration, suggested that the problem presented by the scandal was wider than UNCTAD.

So I sought an appointment with Maryan Baquerot who is the head of Administration and CFRM. I did this with certain qualms. For though I have as the representative of an accredited NGO, and one for thirty years involved from time to time in the UN, been courteously received by UN officials including yourself, I had on another occasion found Mr. Baquerot in a routine interview to be defensive and testy to say the least. Putting that aside, I asked for an appointment to confirm my impression of the chain of command and responsibility for what I was led to believe was a long standing scandal which was uncovered within UNCTAD.

When I requested the appointment Mr. Baquerot's reaction was as I had previously experienced it. To reassure him that I had neither the desire or the competence to gather evidence of individual guilt, I emphasized that I wished to look at the problem from a structural standpoint — that is to learn the chain of responsibilities.

Mr. Baquerot, as promised, called me back, an appointment was set and I arrived with my two interns at his office yesterday at 5.15 p.m.

From the outset Mr. Baquerot was even more surly than in my previous meeting with him.

He confirmed his offices and titles in UNOG — and responded that approximately 360 employees work under him, including 40 - 50 professionals ~ with about 70 persons in CFRM Then when I inquired if the CFRM had the responsibility of countersigning disbursements of UNOG agencies Mr. Baquerot balked, became more visibly angry — and denied the question related to structural responsibilities.

I emphasized that I wanted only to discuss structural matters, whereupon Mr. Baquerot said that he would continue the discussion only in his mother tongue (French) claiming he was having trouble keeping up in English and furthermore that after all UNOG had two official languages. (As is well known though I read French, I do not speak it. Moreover Mr. Baquerot's English is impeccable and idiomatic).

I was astonished by Mr. Baquerot's conduct, the like of which I had never experienced in seven years here. I felt deliberately provoked and after a few words, the meeting was terminated. I was confirmed in my hunch that the UN administration at a very consequential level here is closed off, obstructive and hostile to accountability. Confidential

There are, Mr. Paschke several other interesting aspects of the scandal which I will draw to your attention.

The prime suspect is said to have had a history of personal problems which in a relatively small community would over the years have surfaced. If large sums are indeed involved, the neglect or worse is quite telling on the part of the office of the CFRM if counter signatures are other than pro forma acts.

Though the order not to disclose facts identifying the suspect was comprehensive, the media has certainly learned his nationality ~ indeed this has been almost a diversion from the real significance of the case.

I wish you well in your endeavors in this matter and hope that finally through your efforts the UN will be encouraged to become a more open organization — one in which there is some accountability to "we the Peoples of the UN" as recited in the first sentence of the Charter.

With respect for your office and your dedication, I am

Yours sincerely, MORRIS B. ABRAM UNITED NATIONS WATCH OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN

Mr. Karl Th. Paschke Under-Secretary General for Internal Oversight Services United Nations United Nations Plaza New York, N.Y. 1001

Geneva, 3 December 1996

Confidential

Dear Mr. Paschke,

The Watch's attention has been drawn to the extension of the contract of Assistant Secretary General Fall until the last day of this century as evidenced by the paper attached, apparently signed by the Secretary General, which has been in general circulation and comment here.

We would appreciate your advice whether:

1) The extension of such a high level official three years past the present term of the appointing officer (whose own extension of term was under the veto of a permanent member) is usual and appropriate.

2) In reply I would ask you to consider several applicable circumstances: a) Though the High Commissioner of Human Rights is a superior officer to the ASG Fall and duplication of their functions has been repeatedly found to result in an administrative disorder — did the High Commissioner of HR approve this extension? b) At this time of severe financial distress and administrative overlap, for what reason was the term of ASG Fall extended at this time when it might have been terminated by the SG — bearing in mind that the HC for HR serves by designation of the GA c) Even if a subsequent SG should terminate Mr. Fall, his extension by its terms grants him the right to compensation.

I look forward to a soon reply as has been the custom of your office and for which I thank you.

With respect, I am

Attachment

QUAI GUSTAVE-ADOR 56 • 1207 GENEVA • TEL. (41-22) 700 39 15 • FAX (41-22) 700 39 17 "THE UN'S BULLY PULPIT IS READY AND WAITING FOR KOFI ANNAN"

By Morris B. Abram

When I lived in Atlanta, Georgia I was privileged to know Martin Luther

King Jr. As Kofi Annan of Ghana will soon become the United Nations' seventh

Secretary General, my thoughts return to Martin — not that one unschooled in international diplomacy and administration (and in some ways naive) could fill that office.

Certainly not. However, I feel that the world yearns for a figure endowed with King's ability to evoke the "better angels of our nature". And what better "bully pulpit" (to borrow President Theodore Roosevelt's phrase) could there be than the office of chief executive of the world's only comprehensive international organization. King certainly knew how to use a pulpit, not only to preach but also to influence people and motivate by example. He practiced non-violence under cruel, dangerous and often humiliating circumstances, and he found that power can emanate from non-violence and words as well as from force.

The Bosnian Serbs' massacre of 8,000 in the UN proclaimed "safe haven" of

Srebrenica was a tragic reflection on the world body. Permit me to indulge in a reverie about what might have happened at Srebrenica: What if a figure of great reputation had stood in front of the advancing Bosnian Serb soldiers and proclaimed, "I possess no force to prevent you from killing these innocent people who have come to this UN sanctuary, but if you wish to slaughter them, you must first dispose of me." After years of association with the UN, I hope that I am enough of a realist to know that the world does not expect such heroism from a Secretary-General. Still, the 1945 Preparatory

Commission of the United Nations spoke of the Secretary-General as a figure defining

"the principles and ideals of the charter to which the organization seeks to give effect."

Writing in Foreign Affairs, Johns Hopkins University scholar Fouad Ajami has emphasized that the UN's "principal asset [is] its moral standing to speak out on the great issues of the day."

A Secretary-General, of course, must use his moral authority sparingly. He

certainly cannot deplete this authority by condemning every crime perpetrated around the world. Nor can he impose his opinions as moral dogma on diverse countries and regions.

Rather, he should reserve his words for egregious violations of universally accepted principles which should be repugnant to every civilized society. Surely, the Secretary-General can speak out on the mandates of recognized international covenants, raising a thunderous voice against genocide, torture, violations of the rights of the child and summary and arbitrary executions. By using his world pulpit, the Secretary-General would elevate the standing of his office as well as that of the UN as a whole.

History resonates with examples of world leaders inspiring their citizens from the

"bully pulpit". In the most trying times, rhetoric has provided some of the most powerful motivation. In the depths of the "Great Depression", President Franklin Roosevelt exhorted the American people, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." When the Nazis attacked Britain in 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill cried out, "[Our policy] is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might...against a monstrous tyranny [to achieve]...victory at all costs." As slavery threatened to splinter the United States,

President Abraham Lincoln, using the Bible's language, warned "A house divided against itself cannot stand", and the country expunged this evil from its midst.

The Secretary-General's "bully pulpit" has gone largely unused for fifty years.

Indeed, one would be hard pressed to recall a single memorable speech or even a recognizable phrase from any Secretary-General. Nor have the member states ever criticized a Secretary-General for lacking this kind of leadership. In Kofi Annan, the UN has chosen a good and experienced man. He now has the world's pulpit and the moral vision to fill it. Let us hope that he finds the voice as well as the courage to use it as the central figure embodying "the principles and ideals of the charter."

Morris B. Abram, former United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, is Chairman Emeritus of United Nations Watch.

Submitted to The International Herald Tribune, 16 December 1996