前联合国秘书长安南

A Courageous Leader Koffi Annan has a tough job. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, he has made it his goal to fight against poverty, disease and war in the world. He has called upon the nations of the world to step in and try to solve these problems together. In Annan’s view, seeing a crime and failing to prevent it is as bad as committing the crime. He believes that the idea that states can do as they please within their borders is nonsense. Many people support Annan’s goals, but wonder if they are realistic. The United Nations has little power to act on its own. It has to receive permission from its member nations, but powerful countries like the United States often disagree with, and sometimes actively oppose Annan’s ideas. Despite the difficulties, Annan has succeeded in restoring a sense of respect to the United Nations. Though he speaks with a soft voice, and is known at the United Nations for being polite and elegant, he is also often praised for his toughness and courage. Annan’s goals may be difficult to achieve, but that hasn’t kept him from trying. Courage, he believes, will win out over cowardice in the end. courageous 有胆量的 poverty 贫困 disease 疾病 crime 犯罪 n. commit 犯罪v. border 边境 permission 允许 oppose 反对 restore 恢复 cowardice 胆小