In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/6662

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN LUNCHEON TOAST, THANKS PETER USTINOV FOR 'MAGNIFICENT WORK' ON BEHALF OF UNITED NATIONS

4 August 1998


Press Release
SG/SM/6662


SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN LUNCHEON TOAST, THANKS PETER USTINOV FOR 'MAGNIFICENT WORK' ON BEHALF OF UNITED NATIONS

19980804 'There Can Be no Better Friend of the United Nations, And no Finer Exponent of the Values it Stands for', Kofi Annan States

Following is the text of a toast given by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at a luncheon in honour of Sir Peter Ustinov, in New York today:

There are two problems about proposing a toast to Peter Ustinov.

One is that in a few words one cannot do justice to all his innumerable talents and achievements.

The other is that Sir Peter is likely to reply. And no matter how funny one may try to be, it is certain that he, without trying, will be far, far funnier.

And if one happens to be Secretary-General of the United Nations, there is a third problem. In a recent BBC radio programme called "The Candidate", Sir Peter applied for my job. His performance soon made it quite clear that his qualifications are simply unbeatable.

He speaks French, German, English, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and even some Turkish and Greek. Even the languages he does not actually speak, he can imitate so well that it sounds uncannily as if he is speaking them.

Actually, he would not only make a first rate Secretary-General. He could easily double as permanent representative of all the Member States. Indeed in one of his more memorable television sketches he did just that.

How fortunate we are then -- and how fortunate the world's children are -- that for 30 years Sir Peter has been serving the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) as a Goodwill Ambassador. And not only UNICEF. He has been a strong supporter of the whole United Nations system. And he has been phenomenally successful throughout his life in using the arts to form bridges of friendship between people in different parts of the world.

There can be no better friend of the United Nations, and no finer exponent of the values it stands for. Sir Peter, let me thank you for all your magnificent work on the United Nations behalf. May it long continue! * *** *

For information media. Not an official record.