Annan thanks Powell for 'close and productive' relationship

Following the resignation announcement by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today praised Mr. Powell's "wise counsel and objective approach" and wished him well in his future endeavours.

In a statement issued at UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General said he had spoken to Mr. Powell to thank him for the "close and productive relationship" he had enjoyed with him over the past four years during which they worked together on a wide range of issues of concern to the international community.

"I have always valued his wise counsel and objective approach," Mr. Annan said. "I conveyed to my good friend Colin Powell my best wishes for the future."

In subsequent comments to reporters, the Secretary-General anticipated “a constructive and collaborative relationship with the Administration and the next Secretary of State, whoever he or she would be.”