UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -
The United Nations is not amused by a pun on the first
name of Secretary-General Kofi Annan used in advertisements on
the back of some New York subway passes.
"Got time for a Kofi break? Delegate a few minutes for news at
your desk,'' say the ads for ABC Television's Internet service.
But the United Nations is not laughing, and says that ABC used
Annan's name and photograph without permission.
"The use of the secretary general's name and photo were not
authorized by the United Nations,'' U.N. spokesman Manoel de
Almeida e Silva said, adding that he knew of no attempts to get
permission.
"Inasmuch as this may raise legal issues, the legal office is
looking into the matter,'' he said.
The ads are not the first to use puns on Annan's name. A dating
service for students once promised applicants they could be
matched with someone "who knows that Kofi Annan is not a
decaffeinated brew.'' Annan has used the quip in speeches.
