Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER MARKING THE RETIREMENT OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN

December 14, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued today the following statement marking the retirement of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

“The retirement of Kofi Annan as Secretary-General of the United Nations marks the end of an era.

“He led the organization for 10 years, during a period of extraordinary international conflict and upheaval as the world adapted to the new realities of the post-Cold War geo-political environment.

“On his watch, the UN took on peacemaking as well as peacekeeping as part of its legitimate and necessary function to protect innocent people and preserve global security.

“Mr. Annan’s new approach was exemplified by the UN’s mandate for action in Afghanistan, which brought NATO and Canada into the international mission to rescue that brutalized country from the tyranny of the Taliban.

“In coming to the aid of the long-suffering Afghan people, Mr. Annan and the UN were upholding the values that Canadians and all civilized people hold dear: Freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

“On behalf of Canada’s New Government, I want to congratulate Mr. Annan for his stewardship of the United Nations. We look forward to working with his successor, Ban Ki-Moon, on internal reform of the UN and continuing its essential role as a global champion of peace and security.”

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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