Health Reasons Force Kofi Annan To Cancel Engagements

Tuesday, May 06, 2003 | DURHAM, N.C. -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan , scheduled to be Duke University’s commencement speaker at its Sunday, May 11, graduation ceremony, will not be able to attend because of health reasons, Duke officials announced Tuesday.

On the advice of his doctor and because of persistent laryngitis, Annan is canceling all travel and speaking engagements for the next several weeks, said Kevin Kennedy, a member of the secretary-general’s staff.

Duke President Nannerl O. Keohane will read excerpts of Annan’s speech during commencement.

"The secretary-general informed us late yesterday that he would be unable to attend Duke’s commencement," Keohane said. "When he sent us a draft of his speech today, however, we were touched by the words he planned to share, comparing his own journey from Ghana to the United Nations with the choices Duke students face as they graduate. We decided to read aloud some excerpts at our ceremony, knowing that our graduates and their friends and families will be moved by his message of hope in a time of uncertainty."