Annan Jokes

Outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan gave a farewell address in Missouri, where the audience was packed – perhaps with people trying to get their first glimpse of a black man.

Annan chose to speak at the Truman Presidential Library to contrast the presidential styles of Harry Truman, who ended a just war using the bomb, with George W. Bush, whose war ended up just bombing.

A career statesman, Annan used judicious language in his criticism of the Bush administration. Here then is a dictionary of diplomatic doublespeak:

When Annan said, “America must not sacrifice its democratic ideals while waging war against terrorism,” he meant, “The President is a douchebag.”

When Annan said, “No nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over all others,” he meant, “No seriously, he’s a douchebag.”

And when Annan concluded, “The U.S. has a special responsibility to the world because it continues to have extraordinary more...

Kofi Annan (shown at left with U.N. peacekeeping force) gave his last official speech before stepping down as Secretary General.

In commenting on his tenure Annan stated the five principles he considers essential: collective responsibility, global solidarity, rule of law, mutual accountability and substantial under the table payments to close friends and relatives.

The outgoing Secretary General said he looks forward to spending time with his family and plans to continue to be ineffectual and irrelevant.