U.N. secretary-general critical of Bush administration actions in farewell speech

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — In his farewell address Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan criticized the Bush administration's leadership on the global stage, warning that America must not sacrifice its democratic ideals while waging war against terrorism.

"Human rights and the rule of law are vital to global security and prosperity," Annan told a packed audience at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library.

When the U.S. "appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives, its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused," he said.

Annan, an increasingly vocal critic of the war in Iraq, also said the U.N. Security Council should be expanded to better reflect today's world. He leaves the United Nations on Dec. 31 after 10 years as secretary-general.

In response to a question after his remarks Monday, Annan said he wasn't criticizing the United States. "What I am saying here is that when the U.S. works with other countries in a multilateral system, we do extremely well," Annan said.

"Our world is in a sorry state, we have lots of problems around the world, we require that natural leadership role that the U.S. has played in the past and can play today," he said.

"To appeal for cooperation and leadership should never be seen as an attack."

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

"He is entitled to his opinion," spokesman Sean McCormack said.

"There's no secretary general of the United Nations that's going to be in lockstep with the United States or any other country with regard to its policies," McCormack said. "It's not that person's job."

In response to a question from Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri about the recently released Iraq Study Group report, Annan said the report clarified many issues but the world first needs to find a way to get the Iraqis to reconcile with one another.

"We need to be as active on the political front as we are on the military front," he said. "We need to find a way to get the Iraqis to come together and settle their differences and renew their constitution."

Annan said it was also important to get nearby countries, including Iran and Syria, involved in finding a solution to regional problems.

He said that the U.S. has a special responsibility to the world because it continues to have extraordinary power.