ANNAN, KOFI

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06814213
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2020
• Case Number: F-2018-02369
• Publication Date: August 4, 2004

Approved for Release: 2020/07/29 C06814213
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This profile does not reflect developments since 4 August 2004.
� Kofi Atta ANNAN
(Phonetic: AN-en)
Secretary General, UN (since 1997)
Addressed as: Mr. Secretary General
In 2001, the UN General Assembly easily
reelected Kofi Annan�the seventh secretary general
in the UN's more than 50-year history�to a second
five-year term. That same year, Annan and the UN
won the Nobel peace prize for being "preeminent in
bringing new life to the organization." A committed
multilateralist, Annan often says that problems such
as war, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction,
disease, economic inequality, and environmental
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be addressed in international forums.
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Annan has the ability to
focus on the issues at hand and on the interests of the
UN rather than on his own prestige; his image is that
of the consummate public servant.
during his
June 2004 trip to Sudan, he negotiated a
humanitarian plan for refugees in the Darfur region
des ite strong resistance from various factions.
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Annan
Annan is an open and attentive interlocutor who
stands up for what he believes
An optimist and pragmatist with an
excellent memory for details, media reports say that
Annan has "mysterious" powers of persuasion.
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a facilitator who 4es exquisite tact and courteous
formality with foreign leaders. Annan is noticeabl
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soft spoken, according to press reports.
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Annan says that he employs
GHANA
Seeks Good Relations With Washington
Annan considers the United States the
cornerstone of the UN and recognizes that he
cannot afford bad relations with Washington,
mindful to balance equities between Washington
and other member states.
he enjoys a close relationship with
senior US-officials, according to press reports.
concentration, attentiveness, and creativity when
negotiating, according to a press interview.
Straightforward approaches work well with Annan,
but he does not respond
by US officials,
well to relentless questionin
according to press reports.
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LP 04-106282 (b)(3)
4 August 2004
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Views on Key Issues
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On Iraq, Annan has maintained that the UN
should play a meaningful role in postwar
reconstruction, but security concerns have prevented
swift intervention. In July 2004, he commented that
the UN required a dedicated force to protect UN
facilities and personnel before a return to Baghdad,
according to press reports.
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On human rights issues and the International
Criminal Court, Annan has criticized specific US
policies, and spoke out harshly against the US-
sponsored UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution
calling for a renewed exemption for US troops from
the International Criminal Court. Annan' s
statements significantly contributed to the
resolution's withdrawal from consideration,
showing Annan
has the will and influence to stand up to the US on
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Career and Personal Data
Annan was born on 8 April 1938 near Kumasi in
southern Ghana. /As a child, Annan attended
Ghana's oldest and most prestigious boarding
school, where he won acclaim as a track-and-field
star. Annan earned a degree in economics from
Macalester College in Minnesota in 1961. He
attended the Graduate Institute of International
Studies in Geneva in 1962.
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Annan began his UN career at the World Health
Organization in 1962 as an administrative and
budget officer. Annan left the UN in 1971 to earn a
master's degree in management at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. Annan returned to Ghana
in 1974 but rejoined the UN in 1976. He held a
series of positions of increasing responsibility,
including Assistant Secretary General for Human
Resources Management and Security Coordinator
for the UN System (1987-90); Assistant Secretary
General for Program Planning, Budget and Finance,
and Controller (1990-92); and Assistant Secretary
General for Peacekeeping Operations (1992-93),
culminating in his appointment as Under Secret
for Peacekeeping Operations in 1993.
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Annan enjoys hiking and dancing, according to
press reports. He travels almost a third of every
year. He does not have a computer in his office,
according to press reports. Annan has an adult
daughter, Ama, and an adult son, Kojo, from his first (b)(3)
marriage. In 1984, Annan married Nane Lagergren,
a lawyer and artist. The Annans participate in many
social events and have become fixtures in New York
society. Annan speaks excellent English, French,
and several African languages, including Twi and
Fante.
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