U.N. chief may criticize U.S. foreign policy
By ERIN LaRUFFA
Assistant News Editor
Despite dealing with numerous crises, United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan will take time to deliver Notre Dame's Commencement address Sunday.
Annan has recently criticized the United States for not doing enough to help Africa with its several wars, including one in Sierra Leone. The AIDS epidemic is also severe throughout the continent.
In his speech, Annan might choose to address problems in Africa, said government professor Daniel Lindley. Another possibility is that Annan will mention the ways in which the U.N. can improve its performance, a topic related to a possible critique of United States foreign policy, Lindley said.
"The U.S. is in big danger of crawling into its shell," Lindley said, adding that he hopes Annan's speech "ties us closer to the world" and offers suggestions as to how the U.S. can avoid isolationism.
It is also possible that Annan will speak about issues relating to the peace process in Ireland and Kosovo, said Ojong Odidi, a peace studies graduate student from Nigeria. Another possible topic is the question of when and how the U.N. gets involved in conflicts, according to Odidi.
Before his election as secretary-general in 1997, Annan became involved with peacekeeping work within the U.N. Well-respected for his efforts to prevent war, Annan is an appropriate figure to address graduating Notre Dame students, according to Lindley.
"We're supposed to care [at Notre Dame]," he said. "I think [Annan's] work fits in ideally."
Annan relates well to Notre Dame because both the U.N. and the Catholic Church promote peace, Odidi said.
"[Annan] will be able to blend conflict with religion and how it relates to peace," said Odidi.
Originally from Kumasi, Ghana, Annan was educated in his native country as well as the United States and Switzerland. Annan's work with the U.N. began in 1962 with the World Health Organization. During the Persian Gulf War in 1990, Annan led negotiations with Iraq regarding oil sales to pay for humanitarian aid.
Annan also served as under secretary-general from 1994 to 1995, then again in 1996. During his tenure in that position, U.N. peacekeeping operations increased significantly. Annan was involved with peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia after the Dayton Peace Agreement ended the war there in 1995.
As secretary-general, Annan has worked to reform the U.N. and bring the organization closer to people in an attempt to renew the world's confidence in the U.N. He has also tried to increase the U.N.'s traditional role in promoting peace and development. Human rights have also been an important concern for Annan.
Odidi, who is attending graduation, is looking forward to hearing Annan speak.
"I will feel really happy and proud to hear him speak about some of these [peace] issues," he said.
Notre Dame Commencement will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Joyce Center.
All News Stories for Friday, May 19, 2000
