Nobel elite back scandal-hit Annan

SEVENTY Nobel prize winners have signed a letter backing UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has weathered calls for his resignation amid a spate of scandals in recent months.

The letter, backed by peace prize winners Jimmy Carter and Elie Wiesel, among others, was made public yesterday.

It expresses the laureates’ "deepest respect and support for Kofi Annan and the values he has embraced in his lifetime of work for peace and security".

The idea for the letter was spearheaded by the Better World Campaign, a non-profit group that seeks to improve appreciation for the UN.

Mr Annan, himself a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been sharply criticised for a string of UN scandals including allegations of corruption surrounding the oil-for-food programme; claims UN staff were guilty of sexual harassment; and investigations into sexual wrongdoing and other alleged crimes by UN peacekeepers.

Several US politicians had called for his resignation. The furore died down somewhat after US Ambassador John Danforth announced Washington’s backing of Mr Annan last month. The letter supporting Mr Annan was signed by winners of Nobel prizes from several fields, including literature, economics, physics and chemistry.

"In the years he has held the position of secretary-general, he has distinguished himself by bringing the world community together after the terrorist attacks on September 11th," the statement said. "He has never failed to take a critical look at the UN to examine its weaknesses and recommend improvements."

A UN spokesman said Mr Annan, who shared the 2001 Nobel Peace prize with the UN, appreciated the "warm words of support".