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Annan chides US in final speech Annan chides US in final speech
(10 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, calling on the US not to lose sight of its core principles in its fight 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"."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 has been interpreted as a sharp rebuke of President Bush.
Mr Annan will be succeeded by South Korea's Ban Ki-moon on 1 January. Our correspondent in Missouri, Jonathan Beale, said Mr Annan again raised objections to the Iraq war, a war he has already condemned as illegal.
"When power, especially military force, is used, the world at large will consider it legitimate only when convinced that it Is being used for the right purpose - for broadly shared aims," he said.
Mr Annan, who has led the UN since 1997, 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. He delivered his speech at the library of late US President Harry Truman in the Missouri city of Independence.
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 Annan's speech: Full text 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 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 and historical role as responsible global leader and warned that no nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over others.
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.
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 position 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. 'Far-sighted leadership'
He says the outgoing UN head has chosen the venue deliberately - the library of President Truman. Mr Annan's speech is also highly symbolic, our correspondent says, as 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 and, in 2001, he and the UN received the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 2001, he and the UN received the Nobel Peace Prize.