WHO hits back at Pompeo’s claim that China ‘bought’ UN health chief Tedros

Name: WHO chief slams Pompeo’s comment that WHO is co-opted by China
Uploaded: 2020-07-22T12:21:53.000Z
Duration: 1 min 18 s
Description: WHO chief slams Pompeo’s comment that WHO is co-opted by China

The US Secretary of State told British lawmakers that his allegation was based on a ‘firm intelligence foundation’

We strongly reject any ad hominem attacks and unfounded allegations, the UN health agency says

1-MIN READ1-MIN

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Photo: dpa

dpa

Published: 8:21pm, 22 Jul 2020Updated: 11:45am, 24 Jul 2020

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday bristled at reported US allegations that its executive, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was “bought” by the Chinese government.

According to media reports, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced his charge against the Ethiopian UN health chief when he met British parliamentarians this week.

01:18

WHO chief slams Pompeo’s comment that WHO is co-opted by China

“WHO is not aware of any such statement, but we strongly reject any ad hominem attacks and unfounded allegations,” the UN health agency said in a statement.

“WHO urges countries to remain focused on tackling the pandemic that is causing tragic loss of life and suffering,” it added.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Photo: Reuters

Pompeo told a closed meeting of invited lawmakers on Tuesday that his allegation was based on a “firm intelligence foundation” but he gave no details, The Times and other British media said.