U.S. must uphold democratic principles, Annan says

Kofi Annan delivered his final major speech as UN Secretary General in Independence, Mo., cautioning the United States against ignoring its own democratic principles.

Annan said that security around the world is not possible without respect for the rule of law. He praised the U.S. as historically being at the vanguard of the human rights movement, but said that reputation should be upheld even in the fight against terrorism.

"When it [America] appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives, its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused," he said.

Annan said it was fitting to talk about the lessons he's learned in the last decade at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, calling the U.S. president of 1945-1953 the "master-builder" of the UN.

While not mentioning the current U.S. administration in name, Annan said today's leaders need to live up to Truman's "far-sighted" principles.

"He showed what can be achieved when the U.S. assumes that responsibility," said Annan. "And still 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."

Afterward, Annan bristled at his speech being described as a "pointed attack" on the U.S., preferring to see it as a call to uphold democratic principles practised since Truman's time.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack also downplayed the conflict angle.

"He is entitled to his opinion," McCormack said. "There's no secretary general of the United Nations that's going to be in lockstep with the United States or any other country with regard to its policies. It's not that person's job."

Annan will end his second five-year term as secretary general at the end of the month. He will be succeeded by South Korea's Ban Ki-moon.

He characterized his time as UN chief as "difficult but exhilarating" and said that security and prosperity for all nations can only be accomplished byleaders working together in a multilateral system.

The secretary general said he feared the response to the genocide crisis in Darfur, Sudan, had not gone beyond "lip service." He also touched upon other issues confronting the planet, includingclimate change and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Annan also said the UN Security Council is in need of reform, saying its "membership still reflects the reality of 1945." He suggested adding new members to represent parts of the world with less of a voice.