Thursday, April 27 2006 12:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: Charging rich countries with trying to use money power to marginalise developing nations in the United Nations, the chairman of the Group of 77 nations said the affluent would not be allowed to run the world body the way they want.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Ambassador Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo of South Africa said there were sharp differences between the rich and poor on the way the UN should be reformed and accused developed nations of not even trying to engage developing states in resolving issues.

Noting that the UN Charter granted members equality in running the organisation, Kumalo asserted that the UN is not a private corporation in which those contributing most to the budget could give greatest input in the decision-making.

The strong statement came in the context of a resolution the G-77 has moved in the General Assembly's powerful budgetary committee seeking information on reform proposals by Kofi Annan which would take away some financial and personnel powers from the 191-member General Assembly and give them to the Secretary-General.

Developing nations feel that Annan could then be easily pressurised by the major powers, Kumalo said.

Kumalo said the Group of 77 disagreed 'profoundly' with a proposal that would enable a "small representative group of States" to make all key decisions on budgetary matters.

Asked whether the 132-member group would seek a vote as it has the overwhelming majority, Kumalo replied in the negative and said it was for the opponents of the resolution to make such a move.