Annan phones Rice to congratulate her on appointment as US Secretary of State

Secretary-General Kofi Annan last night phoned United States National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to congratulate her on her appointment as the new Secretary of State and is looking forward to "a constructive and collaborative relationship," his spokesman said today.

On Monday, Mr. Annan praised "the wise counsel and objective approach" of outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Mr. Annan thanked Mr. Powell for the "close and productive relationship" he had enjoyed with the outgoing Secretary over the past four years, during which they worked together on a wide range of issues of concern to the international community.