Kofi Annan Quotations | Page 4

This summit must be a summit of solutions,

There has been no progress in ameliorating the contention between leaders of the transitional federal institutions on four broad issues: the relocation of the transitional federal institutions, a national security and stabilization plan, national reconciliation and the peace support mission envisaged by the African Union/Intergovernmental Authority on Development,

This tragedy underlines the danger faced by unarmed humanitarian workers serving the U.N. in conflict and post-conflict situations,

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,

to see if broader investigations can take place.

Yet again, we face the abominable practice of 'ethnic cleansing' only a few years after it transformed the demography of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ... The Serbian authorities must halt such actions.

The question of independence has been raised, the question of autonomy has been raised, ... It is important that the discussion begins soon.

This will be our first encounter, ... I have no idea what sort of atmosphere it's going to be, what he is like, how he reacts. Obviously, this is going to be a very difficult discussion. It is an issue that has persisted for 10 years.

The practice differs widely, ... But at heart we are dealing with universal values: to be merciful, to be tolerant, to love thy neighbor.

The prevailing mood is one of optimism, ... The parties have proclaimed ... their determination to work together. At long last we can all sense a new wave of movement.

We've indicated quite clearly what the U.N. has achieved and has done since the passage of Resolution 1483. And we have also indicated and spelled out the areas where the U.N. can make further contributions.

We need to decide our priorities. And we must adapt our United Nations so that in the future, those priorities are reflected in clear and prompt decisions leading to real change in people's lives. That my friend is what the people expect of us -- let us not disappoint them.

We have made it clear that it does not go around encouraging abortions, ... It does give good advice to women in the area of reproductive health and does very good work around the world, including in China.

under the lead of a (U.N.) member state.

firmly convinced that the best interests of Ecuador and its people can only be served through the maintenance of constitutional order and the rule of law.

Few United Nations officials have demonstrated the calm, grace and professionalism that you have in the face of virtually unprecedented pressure and attention over the past several months.

But our founders were not pacifists. They knew there would be times when force must be met by force.

Both rebels and government must understand that, if these incidents continue, it will impede humanitarian assistance and delivery.

The good news is that we do have an outcome document. Obviously we didn't get everything we wanted, and with 191 member states it's not easy to get an agreement. All of us would have wanted more, but we can work with what we have been given, and I think it is an important step forward.

The good news is that we do have an outcome document, ... Obviously we didn't get everything we wanted, and with 191 member states it's not easy to get an agreement. All of us would have wanted more, but we can work with what we have been given, and I think it is an important step forward.

The government of Syria has informed me that the smuggling of arms and people across the Syrian-Lebanese border does indeed take place, albeit in both directions,

Tragic experience has taught us that we cannot wait until the last minute to help,

to deal with harrowing memories and emotional scars.

We also believe that we may be able to share our experience in dealing with major crises around the world, ... So I would urge all countries and any group that can help to assist.

were supposed to use force only in self-defense, or by a collective decision that it was necessary to use force in order to keep the peace.

We all have our respective positions. The U.N. still recognizes Chairman Arafat and we will continue to deal with him.

There is some consensus at the hall. But we don't seem to be able to come to an understanding as to how to move forward.

There is no shortage of food on the planet,

We will be relying on Australian support and contribution as we would with other countries,

We will be looking forward to taking steps for the longer term to ensure food security,

We have a clear mandate from the Security Council to do whatever we can to work with the government and the people of Iraq to make sure Iraq takes charge of its own future and develops a stable peaceful society,

To advance the peace process, it will be important to put an end to the escalating violence in the north and east and to strictly uphold the cease-fire. The people of Sri Lanka deserve a new hope that peace could be in reach.

This technology is far less capital-intensive than old industrial technology, and therefore may enable poor countries to leapfrog some of the long and painful stages of development that others had to go through,

What is needed today is nothing less than a new consensus between alliances that are frayed, between wealthy nations and poor. The essence of that consensus is simple: We all share responsibility for each other's security.

What is important is that we don't make a futile attempt to prevent people from crossing borders, ... The moving of people will continue.

What is important is that they should be treated in accordance with established norms of law, internationally and otherwise,

Throughout this year, I have done everything in my power to ensure peaceful compliance with (U.N.) Security Council resolutions and to avert the use of force,

You have to have some hope, otherwise I wouldn't be getting into this exercise, ... It may take some time. I don't think we are going to have a miraculous breakthrough, but at least it's a beginning.

what to do when circumstances change and you need to move from one kind of operation to another.

What happens in the West Bank is very much on our mind, ... For us, the Quartet, it's Gaza first and then the next stage will be the West Bank, not Gaza first and Gaza last.

What happened with the African Union soldiers is completely unacceptable,

too early to say who's going to take charge and who's going to run the government.

We will take the measures to make sure poor and rich have access to the medications and the vaccines required,

Violence breeds violence. I urge you to opt for restraint.

Washington will not put an American officer on the ground.

We are taking a medium to longer term view rather than pulling out immediately after elections.

We do not want women, particularly poor women, around the world to suffer, so we are going to do whatever we can to try and bridge the gap until such time that the U.S. position changes,

Between now and 2050, the number of older persons will rise from about 600 million to almost two billion.

Blix until now has been guided by approved Security Council resolutions. If the council were to pass a new resolution giving him fresh guidelines, he will have to factor that in before he continues with his work, which will be up to the council ... to determine what the next stage will be.

everything possible to help Iraqis, if asked and as circumstances permit.

Every dollar, euro, or yen committed today will save lives. Every helicopter provided will rescue the injured, among them hundreds of children. Every shelter erected will save a family from the ravages of winter.

Every dollar, euro, or yen committed today will save lives, ... Every helicopter provided will rescue the injured, among them hundreds of children. Every shelter erected will save a family from the ravages of winter.

as I do with the other 190 ambassadors. And we will welcome him at a time when we are in the midst of major reform.

devoted tireless efforts to building the state and nation and, in so doing, earned the respect of the population.

Diplomacy is still the way -- with the six-party talks. Everybody agrees on that. The next thing is to try and get everyone back to the table,

Continued efforts in this direction will be necessary in devising 'a road map' for implementation of the agreement just reached.

could lead to a large-scale humanitarian disaster, with the approaching winter.

creative way of approaching the issue and you may wish to share it widely.

and vulnerable to psychological as well as physical insecurities.

and why did so many turn the other way?

During this election period, maybe there are certain proposals or issues that can not be pushed, and things are going to be at a standstill for a while ... I hope that these elections will go smoothly and we can get back to pressing the parties on the peace process.

far worse than any of us imagined at first.

The tragedy of Srebrenica will forever haunt the history of the United Nations

the United Nations will do whatever we can to help.

The United Nations needs U.S. leadership, but the U.S. also needs the United Nations, ... We look forward to working with you and the administration in ensuring that the U.S. is ... back in the fold with the question of arrears, behind us as we move ahead in strengthening and reshaping this organization.

is going about this deliberately and very carefully.

I've been in touch with the two leaders, and I appeal to them to do whatever they can to bring the situation under control and bring an end to the violence,

I urge all parties to focus on the issue as we get down to the wire in the spirit of give and take, and make the kind of compromises that are necessary to get compromises, so we can move on,

I urge you to pursue with even greater determination this people's crusade that Princess Diana did so much to promote, ... has robbed our global cause of one of its most compelling voices.

I urge you, as world leaders, individually collectively, to keep working on this reform agenda to have patience to persevere, and the vision needed to forge a real consensus,

The whole of the international community has come together to reaffirm the integrity of Macedonia. They (rebels) should understand the methods they have used are neither an acceptable nor credible way of achieving their objectives.

The withdrawal from Gaza should be seen as a first step, because we also have to deal with the issue of the West Bank.

These are universal crimes, so the perpetrators ought to be put on notice that they will be held accountable, whoever they are, ... It is not just the field commanders, but also some of the leaders who are giving the orders, who may also be held accountable.

The Russian ambassador said, 'But what are you complaining about? You've had more time than God.' ... And I explained to him that God had one big advantage: He worked alone, without the General Assembly and the Security Council and the committees.

The scale of this tragedy almost defies our darkest imagination. We meet today to prevent a second shockwave of deaths and to prevent further suffering.

The scale of this tragedy almost defies our darkest imagination, ... We meet today to prevent a second shockwave of deaths and to prevent further suffering.

The scale of this tragedy almost defies our darkest imagination,

The scale of this achievement seems to have been missed by some, ... So let's make sure we live up to our promises to the world's poor.

I very much welcome this. I think it is a good resolution in itself -- no less important is the fact that it has been adopted unanimously,

It would be odd that suddenly they endorse it.

I understand and share their anguish. But it cannot justify violence, least of all attacks on innocent people.

It was the president's decision, and I think he exercised his prerogative,

These robust, versatile machines will enable children to become more active in their own learning,

The sheer size of this creature humbles us, ... It tells us that the Earth is not ours, but a treasure we hold in trust for future generations.

These were professionals, seeking to report on a bloody conflict that has already taken too many lives, ... They were doing what other journalists are doing around the world -- taking risks so that the rest of us can keep informed.

These figures are indicative of a steadily deteriorating trend and provide an important indicator of the absence of protection of the right to life which prevails at this time in Iraq,

The states are too high to continue down a dangerous path of diplomatic brinkmanship,

The secretary-general reminds all the parties of their responsibility for the security and the freedom of movements of U.N. peacekeepers, and he reiterates that any escalation of the tensions along the blue line could have serious consequences for peace and security in the region,

The secretary-general hopes that the tribunal will uphold the international standards of justice necessary to ensure its legitimacy, fairness and independence.

The secretary-general has become aware of the fact that UNSCOM directly facilitated the creation of an intelligence collection system for the United States in violation of its mandate,

The Secretary-General expressed full understanding on the issue,

the Secretary-General earnestly hopes that all sides in Nepal will take all measures which will lead to peace talks.

The soaring demand for oil is concentrating the minds of the world as never before.

The swings of international assistance from government to nongovernmental organizations and back, according to the legitimacy of the government of the day, have disrupted long-term development in the past,

Terrible inequalities continue to scar our world. Too many people continue to suffer and die from poverty, conflict and disaster - despite all the means at our disposal to create and share wealth, protect people from the violence of man or nature, and deepen respect for the dignity of every human being,

seize the opportunity ... and make it truly the historic occasion it should be.

Sadly, the reality of the international trading system today does not match the rhetoric. Instead of open markets, there are too many barriers that stunt, stifle and starve,

.... Press freedom, right to information and freedom of expression in Nepal are in serious danger and thus deserve to be a special agenda in the upcoming UN General Assembly.

President Chirac has shown real leadership in efforts to find innovative sources of financing to help the world achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Perhaps that, too, holds a lesson for us: the lesson that divisions in the human community are not so insurmountable as we feared; that gaps of misunderstanding and material well-being can be bridged; and that we can ... join hands and unite for a better world,