NEW YORK: What does the General Assembly do when a UN panel discovers US$600 million in shady contracting? Kill the messenger, apparently. We are not shocked to learn that Singapore — not a nation known for being receptive to criticism — has led a push to disband the 18-member investigative panel after a Singapore official was targeted by investigators. We are somewhat shocked that so many countries have gone along with it that the resolution killing the panel seems likely to pass.

The panel, which costs US$4.9 million a year, is a rare UN operation that might actually generate a profit.

International Herald Tribune:
UN body plans to end investigation of contracts

Photo: Taylor Christian Jones (cc)