SECRETARY-GENERAL'S AFFECTIONATE TRIBUTE AT RETIREMENT OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LAW PROFESSOR

SECRETARY-GENERAL'S AFFECTIONATE TRIBUTE AT RETIREMENT

OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LAW PROFESSOR

Following are the remarks of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the event in honour of Professor Thomas Franck, New York University School of Law, 4 October 2002:

Thank you, everyone.

But thank you especially, Tom, for all that you have done over these past –- can it really be? -– forty-two years as a full-time teacher in this wonderful School.

I can think of no one who has done more to foster respect and enthusiasm for international law, and the idea of international order, among generation after generation of America’s brightest students –- and many from abroad, too.

I know of no one who has been more creative in approaching this subject, and no one who has been a more valued friend and supporter of the United Nations.

As you all know, Tom has never been a strict constructionist.  He has always striven to respect and preserve the life in legal instruments, starting with the United Nations Charter, rather than let them become dry and lifeless.  That is why I, like many others, have found him such an invaluable adviser over the years.

But he is much more than an adviser.  He is a wonderful friend.  And he has the great gift of making even the driest problem fun.

I can’t resist giving you one recent example of this, by reading part of a letter that he wrote about three months ago.  You will remember that at that time there was fierce debate in the Security Council about this country’s demand for immunity for its citizens from prosecution in the International Criminal Court.

I don’t think Tom will mind me reading this, because he wrote it for publication –- although, amazingly, the newspaper he sent it to chose not to publish it.

“As an American citizen”, he wrote, “I strongly applaud this new doctrine of Pax Americana…

“Fortunately, Congress already has before it legislation authorizing the President to use all necessary force to rescue me were I to be haled before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. 

“But what’s so special about genocide, that I should be protected only for those sorts of things?  What about other crimes I choose to commit abroad?  A little mail fraud?  Some violations of anti-trust? 

“As a citizen of the world’s only superpower I want my Government to offer me full protection from foreign laws, whether against passing bad cheques or endangering the morals of a minor.  Americans, wherever we are, should be under American law…”

It’s a great relief to all of us, Tom, to know that you are not really retiring –- that you are simply moving “from the full-time to the emeritus faculty”, to “make more time for your scholarship”.

What that really means, I hope and trust, is that in the years to come we will benefit even more from your insight, your wisdom, and your wonderful sense of humour.

Never has an “emeritus” been more truly meritorious. 

I am really sorry I cannot stay for dinner this evening.  But I hope to enjoy many evenings in Tom’s company in the future.  And I urge you all to enjoy this one on my behalf.  Drink an extra glass for me!

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