    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [September 22, 1997]
    [Pages 1214-1215]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Luncheon Hosted by United Nations Secretary-General
    Kofi Annan in New York City
    September 22, 1997

        President Udovenko, members of the U.N. Secretariat, my fellow
    leaders. First let me thank the Secretary-General for his remarks. As
    some of you may know, after work today I will have the pleasure of
    attending the opening of the Metropolitan Opera. And I thought I would
    get into the spirit by singing the praises of our host today. [Laughter]
        Mr. Secretary-General, it would be hard to find someone more
    appropriate to lead this great organization at this time. Your work and
    your life have taken you from your native Ghana to Egypt, Ethiopia,
    Switzerland, and to Minnesota where you first learned about America. For
    over three decades, you have given every waking hour to the United
    Nations. Better than anyone, you know how this organization works, from
    its highest office down to the grassroots.
        Most importantly, you have earned your reputation as a peacemaker.
    From Africa to Iraq to Bosnia, your remarkable efforts to turn people
    from conflict to cooperation have saved thousands of lives.
        You have seen revolution, war, and starvation, and you have always
    risen to fight the suffering they bring. You have witnessed the collapse
    of the old colonial empires, the end of the cold war, the beginning of
    this new era of great possibility. I hope future historians will look
    back and say this was a time when the high principles that led to the
    founding of the United Nations at last were realized--not simply by
    avoiding bloodshed and war but also by bringing freedom

    [[Page 1215]]

    and opportunity to men and women on every continent, from every
    background.
        Today, through your strong leadership and quiet diplomacy, you are
    serving also as a different kind of peacemaker, bridging the gaps
    between the sometimes unruly members of the United Nations--a group that
    even on occasion, I must admit, includes the United States.
        We have applauded your efforts to reform the United Nations, and we
    have particularly appreciated your efforts to explain those reforms to
    the American people. Deep down, our people care deeply about the U.N.,
    and with you at the helm, we are moving ahead to a new era of
    partnership.
        Finally, let me note that article one of the charter calls the
    United Nations a center for harmonizing. I would like to ask all of you
    to join me in a toast to Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United
    Nations. May we always act in concert to achieve the harmony the
    founders dreamed of, the harmony he has worked so hard to realize.

    Note: The President spoke at 2 p.m. in the North Delegates Lounge at the
    United Nations.