Ensign: Annan should be replaced

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Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004 | 9:38 a.m.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., blasted the United Nations and its chief Kofi Annan on Wednesday, alleging that Annan was not up to the challenge of stopping terrorism.

The United Nations has countries that sponsor terrorism overseeing the protection of human rights around the world, Ensign said in a speech on the Senate floor, noting that Sudan, China and Cuba currently serve as members of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.

Ensign said Annan should be replaced as the leader of the United Nations. Ensign said his remarks were prompted in part by Annan's comment this week that the United States was as disruptive to the rule of law in Iraq as terrorists.

"I thought it was pretty outrageous when he called the war illegal," Ensign said.