| December 27, 2002 |
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Kofi Annan: Center of the Storm
He  leads no country, commands no army. Yet, Kofi Annan is one of the most influential leaders in the world. Can this soft-spoken diplomat hold his own against the world's only super-power? Can he lead a shaky UN coalition to be the voice of calm in the center of a desert storm? An upcoming PBS broadcast reveals the steely tactician behind Annan's calm demeanor. Born in Ghana in 1938 into a family of tribal chiefs, he saw his country gain independence from Britain in 1957. The 20-year-old then left sunny Africa for St. Paul, Minnesota, to attend college. In his first frigid winter, Annan learned a valuable lesson: "Never walk into an environment and assume that you understand it better than the people who live there." Starting in 1962, he quietly rose through the UN ranks, winning critical allies and the Assistant Secretary General seat in 1993 from embattled Boutros-Ghali. Since 1996, the popular and quotable Annan has led the UN into a broader peacekeeping role than was ever envisioned. With a showdown looming in the Middle East, Annan's greatest challenge is yet to come. The world waits to see if the UN leader can successfully foster peace and diplomacy over war and tyranny. (in Government) |
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