WrHEN the end of Boutros Ghali's term as UN Secretary-General was approaching, the United States took a firm stand opposing his re-election for a second term on the ground that his efforts UN reforms were too timid. The for US made it known that unless there was a change in the top UN post, the US Congress would not approve the release of American contributions owed to the UN. Against this background. Kofi Annan, who had already been in the United Nations as Head of Peace-keeping Operations, won the UN Security Council's approval to become the next Secretary-General.

According to observers, one of the big problems that Annan inherited was the refusal of the Republican-controlled US Congress to pay the outstanding US contribution on the ground of that organisation reported inefficiency and wastefulness. Most observers think that Annan is more familiar with the system and thus well-placed to undertake serious structural reforms of the UN. He had earned a well-deserved reputation for smoothness of operation in his administration. It was, accordingly. felt that this might be of big assistance in helping him perform the onerous task of leading an organisation which was believed to have fallen on bad days.

Atman might start off by going for recovery of the financial dues to the United Nations by some member states, an important one being the United States. The 185 member-states together owe the United Nations $2.3 billion. After addressing to that issue, the very unavoidable question comes of inaugurating a reforming process for the world body.

According to observers, during his fence-mending visit to Washington after taking over his new responsibilities, the new UN chief told President Bill Clinton and leaders of the Congress that the United Nations was finally committed to the sweeping reforms that the last three US administrations

had demanded. That was a message that conservative critics on Capitol Hill wanted to hear. Annan's aim was to convince Congressional leaders that as UN chief they would work with him and to persuade them to pay the $1.3 billion which the United Nations says the United States owes. The arrears complicated relations between Washington and its major allies. The issue is critical to the United Nation's future, with the United States responsible for 25 per cent of the UN budget.

Kofi Annan lately announced his new senior management team, dropping five officials and bringing in newcomers for such key posts as peacekeeping and political affairs. Annan asked 23 senior UN officials to submit resignations. Most of the new key positions went to nationals of developed countries with few to ■ citizens of Africa and Latin America. The changes announced did not involve such positions as directors of independent UN agencies, which require approval by the 185-member General Assembly.

According to a UN spokesman, the decisions for the changes were taken based on the "need to bring new talent into the organisation the

need to recognise performance by promoting and the need to retain competent and experienced people to maintain continuity. Annan indicated that the changes were "a major shift in the way we do business." A UN spokesman also described the changes as "only the first step" and said other changes would be madfe during the year. Among those re-appointed were Nitin Bose of India and Jin Younghina of China. Both as undersecretaries-general. Yasushi Akashi of Japan was reappointed head of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs.

According to an experienced critic, "the UN is often used as dumping ground for bureaucrats whom national governments want to get rid of " Some critics feel that the reforms started should not stop at being a pale reflection of what needs

to be done. In the opinion of observers. some basic principles are obvious: UN budgets have to be cut. and the central UN has to get some kind of "authority over the spending of the agencies, duplicating functions have to be harmonised, themselves consolidated and some perhaps killed.

The UN may never be a model of a streamlined organisation. but if it is to survive, it needs to be more efficient than it is now. as opined by analysts.