Annan Mourns Loss Of Journalist Alistair Cooke

Annan Mourns Loss Of Veteran Journalist Alistair Cooke

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today paid tribute to the New York-based British journalist Alistair Cooke, presenter of the famous "Letter from America" radio segment, who has died.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Annan said Mr. Cooke had a special place in the history of the UN - in 1945 he covered the world body's founding conference in San Francisco for what was then known as the Manchester Guardian.

>From 1961 to 1967 Mr. Cooke produced and presented "International Zone," a programme on world affairs produced by the UN's Department of Public Information and released around the globe.

The journalist was best known for his "Letter from America," a radio segment broadcast weekly by the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC), with only an occasional break, since 1946. He was also a television presenter.

Offering his condolences to Mr. Cooke's family "and all others touched by this loss," Mr. Annan commended the journalist's "lifelong efforts to increase mutual understanding between peoples."

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