U.N. Chief Offers Plan to Trim Staff, Cut Costs at World Body

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday proposed eliminating staff, cutting administrative costs and devising a code of conduct for employees as the first step in his effort to reform the United Nations.

But he refrained from any drastic reductions or a “slash and burn” program some members of Congress want before they authorize payment of the $1.3 billion that the United States owes the world body.

“This institution that we call the United Nations has brought immeasurable good into the world,” Annan told a news conference. “But I am also convinced that through these reforms, we can do even more good, even more efficiently in this era of challenge and expectations.”

Annan promised a reform program for the U.N. when he assumed his position Jan. 1 after the United States vetoed the reelection of his predecessor, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for allegedly moving too slowly on reform.

Some of the reform proposals will have to be approved by the General Assembly, where developing countries have already resisted cuts in staff. But Annan insisted that “reform is welcomed by all members states, north and south.”

Annan said 38% of the organization’s resources are devoted to administration. He said he is committed to reducing that percentage by two-thirds by 2001.

Annan also announced:

* A reduction of 1,000 staff posts for the secretariat, or core U.N. staff, which currently has about 9,000 positions. Boutros-Ghali had left that number of posts vacant through attrition and buyouts, but some have been filled by temporary staff. Annan proposed to cut them entirely.

* Budget cuts of $123 million for 1998-99. The 1997 current budget is about $1.3 billion.