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http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&u=/ap/20050201/ap_on_re_us/helms_clinton&printer=1
Helms Pleads to Keep Clinton Out of U.N.
13 minutes ago
By PAUL NOWELL, Associated Press Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C - They may both be out of office, but Bill Clinton (news - web sites) remains the ultimate boogeyman for former Sen. Jesse Helms.
In a fund-raising a letter for his senatorial library, Helms invokes the specter of the former president leading the United Nations (news - web sites) after Kofi Annan (news - web sites) retires next year.
"I'm sure you might agree that putting a left-wing, undisciplined and ethically challenged former President of the United States into a position of such power would be a tragic mistake," wrote the 83-year-old Republican, who left office in 2003 after five terms.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter Tuesday. It contains a petition asking President Bush (news - web sites) to "rebuke all efforts by Hillary Clinton (news - web sites), John Kerry (news - web sites), and every other liberal in Congress to push for Bill Clinton to become Secretary-General of the United Nations."
A spokesman for Clinton did not respond to a call seeking comment. Clinton has said nothing publicly about wanting to lead the U.N.
The Jesse Helms Center in Wingate, 30 miles southeast of Charlotte, has a lecture series that has attracted speakers such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Its Web site describes it as a "nonpartisan organization" that promotes the principles espoused by Helms.
Annan appointed Clinton Tuesday to be a U.N. special envoy for tsunami reconstruction and to help resolve rebel conflicts in two of the hardest hit countries, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The appointment will begin next month.