Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annanis a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. Annan and the United Nations were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize "for their work for a better organized and more peaceful world." He is the founder and the Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, as well as being the chairman of The Elders, a group founded by Nelson Mandela...
NationalityGhanaian
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth8 April 1938
CityKumasi, Ghana
CountryGhana
When states decide to use force, not in self-defense but to deal with broader threats to international peace and security, there is no substitute for the unique legitimacy provided by the Security Council,
Let me say that I don't think that the Council will say this is in contravention of the resolution of the Security Council,
Likewise, Security Council reform has, for the moment, eluded us, even though everyone broadly agrees that it is long overdue,
This tragedy serves as a graphic reminder of the need for the parties to respect humanitarian law and provide security for all civilians, including the staff of international and non-governmental organizations active in the region,
Under the circumstances, it is difficult to envisage the United Nations operating with a large number of international staff inside Iraq in the near future unless there is an unexpected and significant improvement in the overall security situation,
Two years ago, I declared that in my view no reform of the United Nations would be complete without reform of the Security Council. That is still my belief,
We are pressing ahead with our contingency planning and we hope to be ready to work with the African Union as we move forward to the implementation of the anticipated decision by the (UN) Security Council that we push ahead with the transition.
If the trial does not go forward as planned, (the U.N. Security Council) may revert to an international tribunal, ... It is essential that those who committed the atrocities be brought to justice.
I had hoped that some of those with the capacity would go to the assistance of those who are in there doing the bidding of the Security Council and the U.N.,
If Iraq's defiance continues, the Security Council must face its responsibilities,
If they fail to agree on a common position and action is taken without the authority of the Security Council, the legitimacy and support to any such action will be seriously impaired, ... If, on the other hand, they can come together even at this late hour to address this threat in a united manner and they show compliance with the previous resolutions, then the council authority will be enhanced and the world will be a safer place.
If the Indonesian government ... brings those responsible to trial, there will be no need ... for the Security Council to establish a second international tribunal,
I am confident that the Security Council would be ready to take firm action if that was justified,
I am in touch with several heads of state, ... We need money, police and troops. I hope not only France, but other states, and not only Security Council members, will help us.