Annan calls for changes to U.N.

UNITED NATIONS -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged world leaders Monday to implement the boldest changes to the United Nations in its 60-year history by expanding the size of the Security Council, writing a new definition of terrorism and strengthening protections for human rights.\nIn a speech to the 191-member U.N. General Assembly, Annan called for adopting his entire reform package at a summit of world leaders in September, and he warned countries against treating the list of proposals "as an a la carte menu, and select only those that you especially fancy."\nBut getting leaders to agree on the package will not be easy because many countries have opposing views on issues ranging from reform of the powerful Security Council to creation of a new Human Rights Council to increasing development assistance to poor countries.\nThe timing of Annan's appeal also raised some questions, coming just before former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker releases the results of an investigation into the activities of Annan and his son, Kojo, in relation to the scandal-ridden U.N. oil-for-food program in Iraq. Kojo Annan worked in Africa for a company that had an oil-for-food contract.\nAsked at a news conference how he believed the United States would respond to the report, Annan said he hoped all countries would find its suggestions in their interests.\n"I think there are many things in the report that should please many states including the United States," he told reporters. "You have to understand that we have 191 member states and I was dealing with the problems of all regions"