Kofi Annan AP PHOTO

Annan said Dec. 11 in the Truman Presidential Museum and Library in Missouri: "human rights and the rule of law are vital to global security and prosperity."

When the United States "appears to abandon its ideals, its friends abroad are troubled," Annan said.

Annan also said the U.N. Security Council should be expanded to better reflect today's world.

Annan, a critic of the war in Iraq, leaves the United Nations on Dec. 31 after 10 years as secretary-general.

In response to a question after his remarks, Annan said he was appealing for cooperation and leadership, not criticizing the United States.

"What I am saying here is that when the United States works with other countries in a multilateral system, we do extremely well," Annan said.

The U.S. has a special responsibility to the world because it continues to have extraordinary power, he said.

In Washington, the State Department was reserved in its reaction to Annan's remarks.

"There's no U.N. secretary-general that's going to be in lockstep with the United States or any other country," spokesman Sean McCormack said. "It's not that person's job"

Annan also called for expanding the Security Council by adding members from parts of the world with less of a voice. He said today's makeup "still reflects the reality of 1945," when the United Nations was founded.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 16, 2006
(C) All rights reserved