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| Annan chides US in final speech | Annan chides US in final speech |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Kofi Annan has made his final speech as UN secretary general, urging the United States to take on its natural role of leadership, rather than acting alone. | Kofi Annan has made his final speech as UN secretary general, urging the United States to take on its natural role of leadership, rather than acting alone. |
| "No nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over others," Mr Annan said, urging the US to respect human rights in its "war on terror". | "No nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over others," Mr Annan said, urging the US to respect human rights in its "war on terror". |
| Mr Annan said states had to be accountable and the UN was the only body where this could be assured. | Mr Annan said states had to be accountable and the UN was the only body where this could be assured. |
| The speech is likely to be seen as a rebuke of President Bush's policies. | 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 delivered 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 Annan href="/1/hi/world/americas/6170089.stm" class="">Annan's speech: Full text | |
| In the address, he urged the US to embrace its natural role as responsible global leader within the UN system. | In the address, he urged the US to embrace its natural role as responsible global leader within the UN system. |
| He underlined the benefits to the US of working within rather than against this system of collective governance. | He underlined the benefits to the US of working within rather than against this system of collective governance. |
| Mr Annan warned 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. |
| He praised the US for being historically "in the vanguard of the global human rights movement". | He praised the US 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 also said 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 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 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. |
| But he stressed that this was no clash between Western and Eastern civilisations. | But he stressed that this was no clash between Western and Eastern civilisations. |
| "All civilisation is at stake, and we can save it only if all peoples join together in the task." | "All civilisation is at stake, and we can save it only if all peoples join together in the task." |
| 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. | 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. |
| During the speech, Mr Annan repeatedly quoted the words and philosophy that informed Mr Truman's politics. | During the speech, Mr Annan repeatedly quoted the words and philosophy that informed Mr Truman's politics. |
| He ended with an appeal for a shift in US policy, saying "In order to function effectively, the system still cries out for far-sighted leadership in the Truman tradition." | He ended with an appeal for a shift in US policy, saying "In order to function effectively, the system still cries out for far-sighted leadership in the Truman tradition." |
| "I hope and pray that American leaders of today and tomorrow will provide it." | "I hope and pray that American leaders of today and tomorrow will provide it." |
| 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. |