If by now Kofi Annan feels like the walls are closing in on him, it's because they are.
First, the U.N.'s secretary-general expressed surprise after reports that his son's former employer scored a $10 million-a-year U.N. contract under the oil-for-food program in Iraq. Then it was reported that Mr. Annan had met at least twice with officials for Cotecna Inspection S.A., which employed his son, Kojo, as a consultant
Now, a December 1998 memo, one of two from former Cotecna VP Michael Wilson, notes a meeting with Annan "and his entourage" in Paris specifically regarding the firm's bid . Days later Cotecna won the contract.
On Thursday lawyers for Mr. Wilson said he never talked to Annan about Cotecna's bid. But did anyone else from his firm discuss it with the secretary-general?
The memo, if proven legitimate, flies in the face of Annan's claim that he knew nothing about the contract. In March the U.N.'s panel of inquiry headed by Paul Volcker concluded there was no evidence that Annan attempted to influence the United Nations in awarding the contract.
Investigators now are scrambling to review the new information.
Scrambled doesn't begin to describe the egg that has been dripping off Team Volcker's face since senior investigator Robert Parton walked off the job, complaining about the committee and its kid-glove treatment of Annan.
And what of Annan⢠A U.N. spokesman says Annan has no recollection of the Paris meeting.
Kofi Annan's affectations of surprise and continuing memory lapses are outrageous. Once again, Mr. Annan, we call for your resignation.
