U.N. refugee chief resigns

Considering the number of ongoing scandals at the UN, this should be the first of numerous resignations and firings. - Sailor

U.N. refugee chief resigns
USAToday.com
Posted 2/20/2005 1:45 PM Updated 2/20/2005 2:11 PM

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. refugee chief told Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sunday he was resigning because of a lack of confidence in him over sexual harassment allegations.
Ruud Lubbers' letter of resignation as U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees was sent to Annan on Sunday, a spokesman said.

"The complaint of sexual harassment could not be substantiated," Lubbers wrote.

"For more than four years I gave all my energy to UNHCR. Now in the middle of a series of problems and with ongoing media pressure you apparently view this differently."

After allegations first surfaced last year that Lubbers made unwanted sexual advances toward a female employee, Annan said there were insufficient grounds to fire him.

But on Friday, Annan consulted lawyers, clearly angered at the resurgence of sexual harassment allegations following publication by the British newspaper, The Independent, of details of a previously secret U.N. investigation of allegations that Lubbers sexually harassed a female employee. That report included graphic details.

Lubbers maintained his innocence and noted that Annan had closed the case in July after obtaining legal advice.
Indicating the secretary-general had decided it was time for him to go, Lubbers said, "To be frank, and despite all my loyalty, insult has now been added to injury and therefore I resign as high commissioner."

He criticized U.N. investigators of compiling a biased report and of constantly leaking developments to the news media, and he rejected the investigators' allegation that employees feared retaliation if they complained.

"There was no retaliation at all," Lubbers said.

Lubbers told Annan he would continue to be available to UNHCR "until you have found the successor and she or he is confirmed by the General Assembly and ready to take over."

At an impromptu news conference Friday after his meeting with Annan, Lubbers said allegations of sexual harassment against him were "made up" and "slander," and said Annan did not ask for his resignation.