A Visionary for the U.N.
"Kofi Annan's conviction that the world community has to respond to genocide and human tragedies must become a global ethic." ROBERT E. GRIFFIN Forty Fort, Pa.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan shows courageous leadership in advocating humanitarian intervention in countries where innocent civilians are being brutalized [WORLD, Sept. 4]. He rightfully maintains that national sovereignty should not shield ethnic cleansing. Yet the world cannot rely on the military in every crisis. There are instances when disciplined and trained unarmed civilians have performed valuable peacekeeping roles. An international campaign is under way to organize a global nonviolent peace force. The U.N. should support such a force as another resource to call upon when humanitarian intervention is required. MEL DUNCAN St. Paul, Minn.
While Annan has a certain responsibility and accountability to member nations of the U.N. and the world at large, none of us can expect one human being to turn things around. The strength of the U.N. rests upon the willingness and commitment of all nations to dedicate themselves to that which will truly benefit all humanity. Conversely, the weakness and lack of success of the same body are largely the result of nations acting recklessly and being unwilling to bring about the unity and peace that are so needed and desired. VIC SALVO Sacramento, Calif.
Is it any wonder that Annan's "moral world view" "terrifies the Chinese," "unnerves the Russians" and "bothers the U.S."? Annan confronts some of the world's most evil men and governments with courage, dignity and compassion. Thanks to his father's advice ("Don't crawl"), the Kofi Doctrine that sovereignty is not a shield may well slow the killing in trouble spots around the world. Annan has only to bear up under accusations of being naive. FRANK BERTRAND Eugene, Ore.
By gingerly avoiding confrontations with President Clinton and Congress over explosive issues such as arms control, U.S. dues, Iraq sanctions, NATO forces in Kosovo, the Secretary-General seems to have become little more than an errand boy for the U.S. government. Mr. Annan, follow your father's advice: "Don't crawl." The future of the world may depend on it. THOMAS PRINDIVILLE HIGGINS Ventura, Calif.
I wish Annan's brand of enlightened visionary leadership were more prevalent today. I have the utmost respect for his bold vision in the face of his critics and for his faith in the ability of nations to resolve conflicts peacefully. I applaud TIME for extolling the virtues of one of the world's great statesmen. JASON FEHR Hershey, Pa.
Keeping the Faith