When I was a little boy growing up in New York in the early 70's, there was nothing more exciting than a trip to the United Nations building. It was like being able to see the entire world all at once without having to leave my hometown. And what child of that place and time did not consider UNICEF to be one of the best charities in the world? I would get such a thrill from being able to buy stamps or collect money on their behalf.

Things at the U.N. have changed. And not for the better.

U.N. PROBER IN GRAFT SCANDAL

WASHINGTON - The United Nations was rocked by a new scandal yesterday when reports surfaced that the diplomat in charge of rooting out corruption in the world body is himself facing allegiations about unethical conduct.

Fox News reported yesterday that Dileep Nair, the undersecretary general in charge of the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight, has been accused of demanding kickbacks and sexual favors in return for promotions inside his office. Nair, a native of Singapore, also has been accused of attempting to thwart the probe into the Iraq oil-for-food scandal, although his role in that probe remains unclear.