Annan names new chief of staff, reform push seen

NEW YORK - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has chosen the head of a high-profile UN agency as his new chief of staff to help institute reforms and combat allegations of scandals.

Mark Malloch Brown, 51, a Briton, is administrator of the UN Development Programme, the largest UN agency with programmes in 166 countries. He now ranks as the third highest official in the world body, after Annan and his deputy, Louise Frechette.

"This is a first in a series of changes or a shuffle that may happen," Annan said at a news conference on Monday, without elaborating..

He noted that Malloch Brown, a former Economist magazine journalist and spokesman for the World Bank, was experienced in policy as well as communications."

Malloch Brown will remain head of UNDP as well as chief of staff while the tsunami emergency is raging and until a replacement is found. He is travelling to Jakarta, Indonesia, with Annan for a Thursday meeting with Asian leaders and an aid appeal.

Malloch Brown replaces Iqbal Riza, 70, who announced his retirement last month, as did two other top UN officials in what the UN described as coincidental year-end changes.

But the openings give Annan an opportunity to put in place UN reforms he has advocated and tackle the damage caused to the world body over corruption in the Iraqi oil-for-food programme, which UN officials believe is exaggerated but nevertheless needs to be confronted.

In addition, the staff union has made clear that senior officials were not held accountable for their actions, such as retaining Dutchman Ruud Lubbers, the Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Refugees, accused of sexual harassment.

"It has been a subject of wide commentary that staff morale is not at its highest at this time, and we face also, in the weeks ahead, recommendations that may come from Mr Volcker," Malloch Brown said.

He was referring to a preliminary report expected in January from Paul Volcker, the former chairman of the US Federal Reserve, who is heading an independent probe of corruption in the oil-for-food programme that Republican hardliners have used to call for Annan's resignation.

Malloch Brown also made clear he would be available for media comments, unusual in his new post.

"I think that a modern, global public organisation of this kind has to understand that there are many news cycles a day, that to get your message out requires both a vigorous, rapid response," he said.

A group of friends outside of the United Nations talked to Annan on December 5 met in the apartment of former UN Ambassador Richard Holbrooke to discuss ways of rescuing the world body and Annan's reputation, the New York Times reported on Monday.

They urged Annan to repair relations with Washington, where some believed he and the United Nations had worked against US President George W Bush's re-election, the newspaper said.

Asked about the meeting, which did not include Republican Party members, Annan said: "I have spoken to people of both parties and I do not think one should worry about whom I talk to. At the end of the day, it is the decision that I take which should be of concern."

- REUTERS