UN General Assembly
2001

﻿I join with other delegations in congratulating Mr. Han Seung-soo on his election to chair the proceedings of the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session. I also take this opportunity to express my deep satisfaction at the award of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations and to Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It is a well-deserved vote of confidence in the Secretary- General’s leadership as well as recognition of the pivotal role being played by the United Nations in an era of immense challenge for the international community during these early years of the twenty-first century. We are greatly reassured that his firm guidance will continue for a further term to shape the direction of the Organization. At this time of renewed sadness for the people of New York and of the Dominican Republic, may I also offer my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in Monday’s tragic crash of American Airlines flight 587. For all of us, this year’s journey to New York to