UN pays tribute to memory of Ismat Kittani, 'master of diplomacy'

The United Nations today paid tribute to Ismat Kittani, a veteran UN official who had served five Secretaries-General, including the current UN leader, Kofi Annan.

Speaking at a memorial service in New York, the Secretary-General said that Mr. Kittani, who had died in October, was considered a "master of diplomacy," one of the "clearest political minds in the business," a "father-figure and a mentor" as well as an "inspiration and a friend."

Mr. Kittani, who was born in Madiya, Iraq, in 1929, "embodied the kind of unassuming leadership that made those around him feel motivated rather than intimidated; the kind of optimism that made you feel that with every problem there was really an opportunity; and the kind of integrity that made you realize he was not interested in scoring points - except at the poker table," Mr. Annan said.

"He was a man who cared deeply about the United Nations and cared deeply about other people, and he was not afraid to show it," said the Secretary-General, adding, "he was a gentleman - in the best and the truest sense of the word."