Annan Warns U.S. Against Go-It-Alone Diplomacy

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - Kofi Annan, in his last major speech as U.N. secretary general, urged the United States on Monday to shun go-it-alone diplomacy and collaborate on its world challenges, including the Iraq war.

In a farewell address delivered at Harry Truman's presidential library in Independence, Missouri, Annan praised the 33rd U.S. president's legacy, and quoted Truman in cautioning that "no nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over all others."

Truman was a strong backer of the United Nations and was president when it came into being. The presidential library said it was chosen as the site for Annan's last big speech because of Truman's role in helping found the world body.

Annan, who steps down at the end of the month, to be succeeded by Ban Ki-Moon of South Korea, said, "We need U.S. leadership; we have lots of problems around the world ... and we require the natural leadership role the U.S. played in the past and can play today."

"None of our global institutions can accomplish much when the U.S. remains aloof. But when it is fully engaged, the sky's the limit," he said.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the outgoing U.N. chief was entitled to his opinions and could not be expected to agree with Washington on everything.

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

During his two five-year terms as U.N. leader, Annan has tangled often with President George W. Bush's administration, particularly over the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, launched without a green light from the U.N. Security Council.

"When power, especially military force, is used, the world will consider it legitimate only when convinced that it is being used for the right purpose -- for broadly shared aims -- in accordance with broadly accepted norms," Annan said.

In response to a question on how to end the war in Iraq, Annan said the United States needed to work with the international community, including Iran and Syria, to foster a "sharing" of political power and oil revenues within Iraqi's Sunni and Shi'ite factions.

"If you make them responsible and pull them into work with you, I think it will be in everyone's interests," he said. "Getting Iraq right is not only in the interests of the U.S. and the broad international community but even more so for the countries in the region."

Annan also renewed a call to expand the 15-nation Security Council and took a dig at U.S. opposition to a plan to add 10 seats. Washington wants to add just Japan and a few others, fearing more would undermine the U.N. body's effectiveness.