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Annan to chide US in final speech Annan chides US in final speech
(10 minutes later)
Kofi Annan is making his final speech as UN secretary general shortly, urging the United states to show leadership by working with other nations. Kofi Annan has made his final speech as UN secretary general, urging the United States to show leadership by working with other nations.
He will also say human rights and the rule of law are key to global security and prosperity, and that Washington must remain true to its principles. Mr Annan said "the security of every one of us is linked to that of everyone else". And he urged the US to respect human rights in its "war on terror".
The speech is likely to be interpreted as a sharp rebuke to President Bush's policies, a BBC correspondent says. Mr Annan said states had to be accountable and the UN was the body where this could be assured.
The speech is likely to be seen as a rebuke of President Bush's policies.
Mr Annan will be succeeded by South Korea's Ban Ki-moon on 1 January.Mr Annan will be succeeded by South Korea's Ban Ki-moon on 1 January.
'Priceless opportunity''Priceless opportunity'
Mr Annan is delivering his speech at the library of late US President Harry Truman in Independence, Missouri. Mr Annan delivered his speech at the library of late US President Harry Truman in Independence, Missouri.
This country has historically been in the vanguard of the global human rights movement. But that lead can only be maintained if America remains true to its principles UN Secretary General Kofi AnnanThis country has historically been in the vanguard of the global human rights movement. But that lead can only be maintained if America remains true to its principles UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
Mr Annan will warn that no nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over others. Mr Annan warned that no nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over others.
"'We all share responsibility for each other's security," he will say, according to an advance transcript of his remarks. Mr Annan praised the US for being historically "in the vanguard of the global human rights movement".
Mr Annan will praise America for being historically "in the vanguard of the global human rights movement". But he also said that "that lead can only be maintained if America remains true to its principles - including in the struggle against terrorism".
But he is also expected to say that "that lead can only be maintained if America remains true to its principles - including in the struggle against terrorism".
"When it appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives, its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused.""When it appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives, its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused."
Mr Annan will also stress that Washington's current supremacy in the world gives it "a priceless opportunity" to entrench the principles of democracy at a global level. Mr Annan also stressed that Washington's current supremacy in the world gives it "a priceless opportunity" to entrench the principles of democracy at a global level.
Mr Annan's speech is a challenge and a rebuke to the Bush administration and is also highly symbolic, the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Independence says. Mr Annan's speech is likely to be seen as a challenge and a rebuke to the Bush administration and is also highly symbolic, the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Independence says.
He says the outgoing UN head has chosen the venue deliberately - the library of President Truman.He says the outgoing UN head has chosen the venue deliberately - the library of President Truman.
President Truman was an early champion of the UN - a contrast to Mr Bush, who has been one of its harshest critics, our correspondent says.President Truman was an early champion of the UN - a contrast to Mr Bush, who has been one of its harshest critics, our correspondent says.
Born in Ghana in 1938, Mr Annan has led the UN since 1997.Born in Ghana in 1938, Mr Annan has led the UN since 1997.
In 2001, he and the UN received the Nobel Peace Prize.In 2001, he and the UN received the Nobel Peace Prize.