Scandal-hit Annan tries to cool staff anger with a 'pep talk'

April 05, 2005

Times
From James Bone in New York

KOFI ANNAN has summoned all United Nations staff to a meeting today in an effort to shore up his crumbling leadership of the organisation.

The UN Secretary-General will address several thousand officials crammed into the General Assembly hall, where world leaders meet every autumn, and thousands more by video-link around the world.

Aides say that the embattled UN chief will deliver a “pep talk” in an attempt to buoy the spirits of UN personnel after a series of scandals, including last week’s Oil-for-Food report criticising Mr Annan and his son, Kojo.

He is expected to tout his recently released reform agenda, “In Larger Freedom”, which calls for institutional changes to revive the organisation.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1555377,00.html

Scandals aside and his mediocre performance, his term is almost up anyhow and it's time for some new blood--another term would be unprecedented and quite honestly, he doesn't deserve it.

Why exactly does he want to stay?