A more important human rights role for President Mary Robinson is included in the UN reform package presented by the Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, but the plan as a whole has had a cool reception from US critics. The strengthened human rights division to be headed by Mrs Robinson will be one of five new departments forming a cabinet-style system, instead of the existing one where 24 agencies have access to the Secretary General.
The New York Times said Mr Annan's key appointments will be just as important as the changes. "He set a high standard by naming Mary Robinson, former President of the Irish Republic (sic), to head the human rights office. More choices of that calibre will buttress his reforms."
Mr Annan has also proposed a new post of deputy secretary general expected to be filled by a woman. The five areas to be consolidated and represented in the new cabinet are peace and security, humanitarian affairs, economic and social, development and human rights.
Mr Annan has also proposed a revolving credit fund from which the UN could borrow up to $1 billion to pay its operating expenses. This would make it less vulnerable to defaulting member states such as the US.
The US Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, has said she needs more time to study the programme but "we embrace the movement towards reform and encourage the UN to approve concrete measures at an early date".
However, the reforms have not satisfied the UN's most important critic, Senator Jesse Helms, chairman of the powerful Foreign Affairs committee. Earlier this year he agreed to allow the US pay most of its $1.2 billion arrears to the UN on condition that the international organisation implemented a gradual series of reforms.
A spokesman for Senator Helms said Mr Annan's proposals fell short of what he had promised.
Another important Congressional critic, Senator Rod Grams, who chairs the sub-committee on international organisations, said "this meagre package represents nothing more than the status quo and that is unacceptable".