UNITED NATIONS: The head of the UN elections unit has been accused of making unwanted sexual advances toward a male employee and creating a sexually charged work environment, according to a confidential UN-commissioned report. The allegations were more bad news for Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the United Nations faced findings of impropriety and mismanagement in the $67 billion oil-for-food programme for Iraq and sexual abuses by UN peacekeepers. In addition UN refugee chief Ruud Lubbers resigned in February amid sexual harassment allegations. Carina Perelli, the highly praised Uruguayan director of the Electoral Assistance Division, who helped organise elections in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been charged with violating UN staff rules and was preparing a written response to the charges, UN officials said on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Her defence would be analysed by senior official to determine if disciplinary action was warranted.
