Annan Dismisses Times Reporter Bone

James Bone: It had the word “Mercedes” in, but I took it out. Just to comment on the Mercedes before I ask my question. The Volcker report says that the Mercedes was bought in your name, so as the owner of the car, can you tell us what happened to it and where it is now?

Now, my question is that, it’s true that we missed a lot of stories in the oil-for-food scandal, and the UN hasn’t made it easy. And even your answer today on the Mercedes so far hasn’t made it easy. Some of your own stories -- your own version of events -- don’t really make sense. I’d like to ask you particularly --

The Secretary-General: I think you are being very cheeky here.

JB: Well, let me -- Sir, let me ask my question.

KA: No, hold on. Hold on. Listen, James Bone. You have been behaving like an overgrown schoolboy in this room for many, many months and years. You are an embarrassment to your colleagues and to your profession. Please stop misbehaving, and please let’s move on to a more serious subject.

JB: (inaudible) my question.

KA: No, move on to a serious –=-

JB: There are inconsistencies --

KA: No, move on to serious journalists. You go ahead.

Question: James, are you finished?

KA: No, go ahead.

...

Jim Wurst, president, U.N. Correspondents' Association (UNCA): On behalf of UNCA, I have to tell you that James Bone is not an embarrassment. He's a member in good standing of UNCA. He has every right to ask the question.

KA: No, I agree with you. He has a right to ask questions, and I came here to answer questions. But I think we also have to understand that we have to treat each other with some respect. You have the right to ask all the questions you want to ask. I reserve the right to refuse to answer questions I don't want to answer. But there is a certain behaviour and a certain mutual respect we have to respect.

Press Conference by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, United Nations Headquarters, 12/21/05.