Kofi Annan has had a front-row seat to world events for nearly 20 years and has a simple message for anyone concerned about sectarian violence almost anywhere: be patient and keep talking.
I interviewed Mr. Annan in Ottawa Thursday night at an event hosted by the Global Centre for Pluralism, which is located in a stunningly designed structure on Sussex Drive built by the Aga Khan and the Canadian Ismaili community. Mr. Annan spoke about his challenges in defusing the Syrian crisis, his success averting a sectarian war in Kenya a few years ago, and his dealings with Saddam Hussein, George W. Bush and Tony Blair.
Over dinner afterward, he spoke frankly about the need for patience. Egypt, he said, could take 15 years to stabilize. Syria is a decade-long project, with or wothout Bashar al-Assad in power. He encouraged even middle powers such as Canada to play a role in getting the many sides in a conflict to talk.
via Editor’s letter: Why we published the Ford family story – The Globe and Mail.
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