Elton John Strikes Sour Note at U.N. by Declining Position

Elton John’s last-minute decision to drop out of his newest gig as a “messenger of peace” left U.N. officials feeling perplexed and a bit snubbed Tuesday.

Folks here are used to shuttling between warring factions in hopes of arranging a cease-fire or engineering an emergency food drop in a faraway land. Dealing with the shifting whims of one of popdom’s biggest stars is new territory.

For months, U.N. officials have been talking to representatives of the British singer-songwriter about joining the roster of celebrities whom Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recruited in an effort to bring greater public attention to the good works of the U.N.

John was to have been honored for his work raising awareness--and millions of dollars--in the fight against the worldwide AIDS epidemic. The feeling was that John’s activities would reinforce the work of a Geneva-based U.N. agency that has been a leader in chronicling the spread of the disease.

The performer was supposed to have received his symbolic lapel pin depicting a dove of peace from Annan on Tuesday, and then he was to have met with reporters at U.N. headquarters.

Late Monday afternoon, however, John’s manager, Colin Bell, delivered an apologetic letter to Annan’s office saying that the recently knighted star had determined that he could not do the job justice right now and asked for an indefinite postponement.

“After much deliberation,” Bell wrote, “Mr. John does not feel he has sufficient time to honor this commitment in the proper manner and give it the support that it deserves.”

U.N. officials scrambled to rescind their press announcement of the award and cancel the news conference. At least one high-level operative was left muttering about “prima donna” behavior.

A spokeswoman for John was defensive Tuesday in explaining the decision, saying that the accumulated pressures of recording and touring, raising $3 million a year for his own AIDS foundation and other charitable work caused the late change of heart.

“He had to listen to what his heart was telling him,” she said. “He didn’t want to take on a title and do nothing.”

She added that John is still interested in becoming a peace messenger at some time in the unspecified future. “Yeah, sure,” was the skeptical response of a U.N. insider--who insisted on anonymity just in case John does come on board.

Annan’s peace messengers, who include actor Michael Douglas, former Lakers star Magic Johnson, opera singer Luciano Pavarotti and others, have varied and unspecified duties. Generally they include appearing at U.N. functions, saying nice things about the organization and, as Douglas said in a speech to a U.N. disarmament conference, “lending my fame to your cause.”