s," 98* THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
20 December 2004
Dear Cornelio,
Thank you for your letter of 14 October and the accompanying copy of Diplomacy at the Service of Humanity which I was delighted to have received.
I am sure that readers will find much food for thought and inspiration between its covers.
With best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Cornelio Sommaruga Geneva
/no /i DEC 29 £- EOSG / CENTRAL V... COMME1LIO SOMMAMUGA ( W H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan Secretary General of the United Nations UN Headquarters First Avenue at 46th Street New York, NY 10017 USA Geneva, 14 October 2004 <^z^Wd, /est<^s<&<{ You were sokindI to .writei.thes foreword to my Memoir book, under the title " Diplomacy ~ajthe Servicei, of Humanity". The book was presented last week at the Book Show of Frankfurt a.M./Germany. I am honored to send you the first copy of this dialogue with a journalist of the Neue ZurcherZeitung, who had been my personal assistant in the ICRC. I should like again to express my gratitude for your generosity in drawing up this positive presentation of my person and of our intensive and friendly cooperation. An Italian and French issue of the book is in preparation and I shall also use your foreword for these publications. Happy to see you again in Nairobi at the High Level Segment of the Summit for a Mine Free World on 2nd and 3rd December .next, and with the expression of my friendship, please accept, Mr. Secretary General, my highest esteem. CH. OEB CHETS-OE-CHAMPEIL 1(8 THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOREWORD TO MEMOIR OF CORNELIO SOMMARUGA July 2004 Cornelius Sommaruga has for many years been a welcome and familiar presence at the United Nations. I recall in particular his words at the United Nations 50th anniversary ceremony, where he spoke of the urgent need for a common front at all times to combat intolerance and to secure respect for human dignity. He has devoted much of his working life to this objective. Cornelius Sommaruga has been, and continues to be, a passionate believer in the impartiality, independence, and neutrality of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and in the proper principles of humanitarian action. He led the ICRC with dedication and principle at a particularly challenging time, during which civilians were often the first and principal target in conflicts. During his Presidency, he and I worked closely together, and he did a great deal to help ensure that our activities complemented and reinforced one another. Since that time, he has continued to serve in many capacities, including with the United Nations. This memoir is rich with insight into the nature of modern conflicts, the humanitarian crises they create, and, most of all, the work that takes place, often without fanfare or publicity, to ease their impact on men, women and children around the world. It provides a window onto the intricate diplomacy that is sometimes required to minimize the impact of war on civilians and to promote respect for the principles of international humanitarian law. It is a testament to the importance of humanitarian action, and of the need for humanitarian principles to be respected by warring parties and vigorously defended by the international community. Kofi A. Annan