Speakers Praise Koffi Annan

Praise for Kofi Annan�s refreshing idealism, improved management of UN operations and vision for the 21st century highlighted the two presentations at the Saturday night annual convention banquet.

Maurice Williams, former UN Assistant Secretary-General, began by reviewing Annan�s accomplishments. He pointed out the new spirit at the UN since the 2001 Nobel Prize winner took over in 1997 and noted in particular the more coordinated leadership among UN committees on �peace and security, development assistance, humanitarian relief and economic and social affairs.�

Williams outlined several projects started by Annan and emphasized the Secretary-General�s abiding concern for improving lives of people in the poorest nations. In 2000 Annan directed the preparation of a new agenda for the UN in the 21st century that �puts the human being at the center of everything it does.� He also boldly stated to the General Assembly, not without opposition in ensuing debates, �The projection of human rights must take precedence over the concerns of national sovereignty.�

Ambassador Jamsheed Marker, past Chair of the UN Security Council, said Kofi Annan is the first Secretary-General since Dag Hammarskjold with a conscience and a sense of idealism. He said Annan faced up to the UN�s mistakes in the post-Cold War period and said the UN should learn from them. Marker also observed there is a more collegial and upbeat atmosphere at the UN with grater attention given to the careful selection of staff. Unlike past years of dirty politics in the selection of a Secretary-General, Kofi Annan is already being recruited for a second term.

Mary Fullerton

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