Pompeo made the claim about Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a private meeting with British lawmakers in London on Tuesday, Labor MP Chris Bryant confirmed to CNN.
The secretary of state added that there was strong evidence that an agreement had been made to place Tedros at the top of the WHO, and that this had resulted in the death of UK citizens from coronavirus, Bryant said.
“You cannot make claims for maritime regions that have no legal claims. You cannot threaten and harass countries in the Himalayas. You cannot engage in cover-ups and co-opt international institutions like the World Health Organization,” Pompeo said.
When asked to comment on Pompeo’s comments on Thursday, Tedros said, “The comments are false and unacceptable and without foundation, for that matter.”
“Our only focus and the international focus … the whole organization is on saving lives,” he added.
“If there is one thing that really matters to us and that should matter to the entire international community, it is saving lives. And the WHO will not be distracted by these comments and we do not want the international community to be distracted as well.”
The State Department declined to respond when CNN asked about Pompeo’s claims.
The Trump administration told Congress and the United Nations earlier this month that the United States is formally withdrawing from the WHO, a move criticized by bipartisan lawmakers, medical associations and allies abroad.
“As you know, one of the greatest threats we face remains the politicization of the pandemic. Covid-19 does not respect borders, ideologies, or political parties, and I have said this many times. Covid’s policy should be quarantined.” Tedros said. additional.
“And I am again appealing to all nations to work together. Politics and partisanship have made matters worse. So what is very important is to sign solutions and solidarity.
“But I repeat, the allegations are false and baseless.”
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