Letters to the Editor

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

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NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

‘U.N. Chief Faces a Test Over Misdeeds’

I refer to the article “U.N. Chief Faces a Test Over Misdeeds” by Benny Avni [Foreign, October 15, 2007].

The allegation that “Singapore is now leading an effort to deny it (the Procurement Task Force, or PTF for short) additional funding” is disingenuous.

Those who are familiar with Singapore will know that we have never condoned fraud or corruption. Our reputation for clean government is well known. We support what the PTF was set up to do.

At the United Nations, we have consistently supported strong internal controls and an administration of a justice system predicated on fairness and accountability. However, these principles cannot be applied selectively. The PTF must itself adhere to the standards to which it seeks to hold others.

Two U.N. tribunals — the Joint Disciplinary Committee and the Panel on Discrimination and Other Grievances — have determined that the PTF has fallen short in its investigation of a former U.N. procurement chief, Andrew Toh of Singapore.

Both tribunals found that Mr. Toh was denied the basic right of due process. It is in the interest of accountability that member states have a duty to raise questions about the performance of the PTF. It is cynical to suggest that there is a connection between Mr. Toh’s case and the broader issue of Myanmar. It is absurd for Mr. Avni to think that Ban Ki-moon “may be forced to choose between political support in Asia and U.N. transparency and oversight.”

Mr. Toh’s case is about accountability and fairness. He has been subjected to 21 months of investigations and the U.N.’s tribunals have ruled. The U.N. should act on those rulings.

As for the question of a “lawsuit,” this is a private matter between Messrs. Toh and Burnham, and the U.N. senior management. But we are surprised by Mr. Avni’s warning to Mr. Ban not to contemplate removing Mr. Burnham’s immunity. If Mr. Burnham believes that his actions were proper, then surely he should not have concerns about defending himself in a court of law?

Likewise, the Secretariat should not have any difficulty in acceding to Mr. Toh’s request for Christopher Burnham’s immunity to be lifted.

Presumably, the United Nations does not condone harassment and discrimination by its officials of their subordinates.

HOE YEEN TECK
First Secretary and Press Officer
Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations
New York, N.Y.

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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