After you yawn, just realize he wants more money

Kofi Annan, my nominee for "Worst Person in the World," responds to UN corruption by offering a UN makeover that requires more of your money:

UNITED NATIONS - Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for the boldest changes to the United Nations in the history of the world body, saying they are needed to tackle global threats in the 21st century. But getting leaders to agree on the package won't be easy.

Some questioned the timing of his appeal, just before former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker releases the results of his investigation into corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program in Iraq. In particular, Volcker is looking into the activities of Annan and his son, Kojo, who worked in Africa for a company that had an oil-for-food contract.

The scandal is one of several that have dogged the world body this year. The sex abuse by peacekeeping troops in Congo and the resignation of the U.N. refugee chief amid sexual harassment charges have also tainted the U.N. image.

Think that's a pretty good joke? Well, make sure you don't miss the punch line:

Mark Malloch Brown, the secretary-general's chief of staff, dismissed media comments that Annan's report was "a panicked response" to the U.N.'s problems.

"Look at it as the secretary-general refusing to be distracted," he said

And then, way, way down in the AP dispatch comes the bill for Kofi's world government wet dream:

The secretary-general also urged all rich countries to establish a timetable to reach the goal set 35 years ago of earmarking 0.7 percent of gross national product for development assistance no later than 2015, starting with a significant increase no later than 2006. The United States currently has one of the lowest levels — about 0.15 percent.