Kofi Annan, MS - US - Iraq War - ProCon.org

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US - IRAQ WAR

Kofi Annan, MS Biography
Title:	Former Secretary-General of the United Nations
Position:	Con to the question "Should the US Have Attacked Iraq?"
Reasoning:	"[Owen Bennett-Jones] (Q): Do you think that the resolution that was passed on Iraq before the war did actually give legal authority to do what was done? Kofi Annan (A): Well, I'm one of those who believe that there should have been a second resolution because the Security Council indicated that if Iraq did not comply there will be consequences. But then it was up to the Security Council to approve or determine what those consequences should be. Q: So you don't think there was legal authority for the war? A: I have stated clearly that it was not in conformity with the Security Council - with the UN Charter. Q: It was illegal? A: Yes, if you wish. Q: It was illegal? A: Yes, I have indicated it is not in conformity with the UN Charter, from our point of view and from the Charter point of view it was illegal." "Excerpts: Annan Interview," inverview with BBC journalist Owen Bennett-Jones, news.bbc.co.uk, Sep. 16, 2004
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:	Experts Individuals with PhD's, JD's, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to the US - Iraq conflict. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to the US - Iraq conflict.
Involvement and Affiliations:	Co-founder and President, Global Humanitarian Forum, 2007-present Chairman of the Board, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), 2007-present Seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), 1997-2007 Undersecretary for Peacekeeping, UN, 1993-1996 Budget and Finance Controller, UN, 1992-1993 Assistant Secretary-General for Program Planning, UN, 1990-1992 Assistant Secretary-General, UN Office of Human Resources Management, 1987-1990 Director of Budget, UN Office of Finance, 1984-1987 Deputy Director of Administration and Head of Personnel, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), 1980-1983 Deputy Chief of Staff Services, UN Office of Personnel Services, 1976-1980 Managing Director, Ghana Tourism Board, 1974-1976 Administrative and Budget Officer, World Health Organization, 1962
Education:	MS, Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1972 Graduate Studies, Economics, Institut Universitaire des Hautes Études Internationales, Geneva (Switzerland), 1961-1962 BS, Economics, Macalester College, 1961
Other:	Born in Kumasi, Ghana on Apr. 8, 1938 Recipient, MacArther Award for International Justice, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, 2008 Recipient, Crystal Tiger Award, Princeton University, 2006 Recipient, International Achievement Award, Inter Press Service, 2006 Recipient, Max Schmidheiny Foundation Freedom Prize, University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), 2006 Recipient, Order of the Dutch Lion, Grand Cross, 2006 Recipient, Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty (Portugal), 2005 Recipient, Profiles in Courage Award, 2002 Recipient, Nobel Peace Prize, 2001
Quoted in:	1. Did the UN Security Council Resolution 1441 provide sufficient legal basis for military action against Iraq? 2. Was the preemptive invasion of Iraq a violation of international law? 3. Did Saddam Hussein's violation of United Nation Security Council resolutions justify Iraq's invasion?

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