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Kofi Annan and Peace and Security
Former Secretary General Kofi Annan
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Kofi Annan
Articles and Documents
2006 | 2003 | 2002 | Archived Articles 2006
Kofi Annan's Final Speech (December 11, 2006)
In his farewell speech UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stated his disapproval of the unilateral actions taken by the Bush administration especially the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Annan further stated that the US once was “in the vanguard of the global human rights movement,” but that its disregard for international law in its “war on terrorism” shows that it has abandoned its principles and commitments. The Secretary General concluded that there is a great need for US-UN understanding because global institutions accomplish much less when the US remains disengaged from multilateral processes. (BBC)Annan: Iraq Crisis 'Much Worse' Than Civil War (December 4, 2006)
Responding to recent media reports that Iraq faces a civil war, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says that the current violence in Iraq is already “much worse.” The UN chief further comments that Iraqis would be justified in believing that they are now worse off than under former dictator Saddam Hussein. Annan also voiced his regrets over the 2003 US-led invasion, commenting that it could have been prevented had UN weapons inspectors been given more time to carry out their work. (Daily Star – Lebanon)2003
Secretary General’s Address to the General Assembly (September 23, 2003)
In the light of today’s global security threats, the United Nations has no choice but to act to defend its shared vision of global solidarity and collective security, says Secretary General Kofi Annan. He urges the world’s leaders to take a “hard look at fundamental policy issues” and “not to shy away from questions about the adequacy, and effectiveness, of the rules and instruments at our disposal.” (United Nations)Annan Faces His 'Most Difficult' Moment (March 29, 2003)
The UN Secretary General is something of a "diplomatic rock star" and something of a "secular pope." However, a war has erupted unsanctioned by the UN, and its Secretary- General acknowledges that he faces the "most difficult" moment of his four decades at the organization. (New York Times)2002
Secretary General's Statement at the Adoption of Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq (November 5, 2002)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan states that resolution 1441 on Iraq “represents an example of multilateral diplomacy serving the cause of peace and security,” and sets out in clear terms Iraq's obligation to ensure full and final disarmament of its weapons of mass destruction. (United Nations)Disarming Iraq - The Secretary General Statement to the Security Council (October 16, 2002)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urges the Security Council to act in unison to strengthen the authority and credibility of the UN, and to reach a comprehensive solution that includes the suspension of the sanctions against Iraq. (UN News)Secretary General's Statement to the Security Council at Meeting to Commemorate the One-year Anniversary of the Committee on Counter-Terrorism (October 4, 2002)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan proposes a three-pronged UN strategy to combat terrorism. The proposal calls for “dissuasion” of the would-be-perpetrators of terror, “denial” of their opportunities to act, and “international cooperation” in the fight against terror. (United Nations)Annan Calls for Multilateral Approach (September 12, 2002)
In his speech to the General Assembly, Kofi Annan clearly referred to Washington when he called for multilateral approaches to global problems. “For any one State – large or small – choosing to follow or reject the multilateral path must not be a simple matter of political convenience.”
