UNITED NATIONS, April 25: A showdown between the envoys of the rich nations and the representatives of poor countries at the United Nations fifth committee, which deals with budgetary questions, could bring the world body to a standstill if not resolved quickly, diplomats here said on Tuesday.

The contentious debate in the committee on Monday highlighted the bitter rivalry between wealthy and poor nations over the fate of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s demand for a management overhaul that would streamline UN operations, cut jobs and give him more budget authority.

The developing countries fear that Mr Annan’s proposals, unveiled last month, are an attempt by rich nations to wrest control of the UN finances away from them _ their key power in the General Assembly.