Kofi Annan, the UN secretary-general, has refused to disown a speech by his deputy criticising the US government’s attitude to the UN.

The US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, had demanded Kofi Annan should repudiate Mark Malloch Brown’s remarks.

Bolton described Tuesday’s speech as a “very, very grave mistake” that could undermine efforts to reform the organisation.

“Even though the target of the speech was the United States, the victim, I fear, will be the United Nations,” Bolton said at the UN on Wednesday after speaking to Annan.

Annan, however, will stand by his deputy’s views, said Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief spokesman.

“There is no question of any action to be taken against the deputy secretary-general,” he said.
aljazeera.net

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