[originaltext] Kofi Annan nearing the end of his tenure as U. N. Secretary Gen

Kofi Annan nearing the end of his tenure as U. N. Secretary General urged the United States to shun its go-it-alone stance and take a leadership role in the international community.
  None of our global institutions can accomplish much when the U. S. remains aloof. But when it is fully engaged, the sky is a limit.
  In an address delivered at Harry Trnman’s Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri, Annan waded on the current debate in the Bush administration about changing U. S. policy in Iraq.
  "It is important to talk to everyone who is in a position to influence the solution, including Iran and Syria. We should make them part of the solution. We should make them responsible by pulling them in to work with the international community, and tell them what the international community expects of them. I don’t think either country would want to remain isolated forever, and if you make them responsible and pull them in to work with you, I think it will be in everyone’s interest. We should also not forget that getting Iraq right is not only in the interest of the U. S. and the broader international community but even more so for the countries in the region."
  During his two five-year terms as U. N. leader, Annan has tangled often with the Bush administration especially over the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. Annan steps down as the U. N. Secretary General at the end of the month.