The Arab spring reminds me a bit of the decolonisation process where one country gets independence and everybody else wants it. How about us, when do we get it, when do we make our move? And you have a situation where someone has been in power for decades, where the integrity of elections, democracy and security have really not been debated or discussed and most people suspect that elections are rigged and that the democratic rotation that elections are supposed to ensure doesn't really happen. And when this goes on for a while you are sitting on a powder keg.
Kofi AnnanIt is my aspiration that health finally will be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for.
Kofi AnnanYou need to be careful not to over-reach and also assess the capacity you have to work with.
Kofi AnnanWe need to ensure the poorest in the planet - who will be hardest hit by the financial crisis - are not forgotten.
Kofi AnnanWe tend to look at countries in terms of failed states and functioning states, which is rather simplistic.
Kofi AnnanThe UN was very media-shy, and its relationship with the press was very controlled; although periodically I spoke to the press, the rule was, only the secretary-general speaks to the press; only the secretary-general makes... So you would see many situations where under-secretaries-general would come in and speak. I opened that, and I encouraged all of them to speak in their areas, whether it was peacekeeping or humanitarian efforts.
Kofi Annan