A Courageous Leader

 

下面是一段人物描写。这段文字围绕courageous leader 这个中心展开，文中的转折连词
（but，despite，though）起到了很好的衔接作用。

Koffi Annan has a tough job. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, he has made it his goal to fight against poverty, disease and war in the world. He has called upon the nations of the world to step in and try to solve these problems together. In Annan’s view, seeing a crime and failing to prevent it is as bad as committing the crime. He believes that the idea that states can do as they please within their borders is nonsense. Many people support Annan’s goals, but wonder if they are realistic. The United Nations has little power to act on its own. It has to receive permission from its member nations, but powerful countries like the United States often disagree with, and sometimes actively oppose, Annan’s ideas. 　

Despite the difficulties, Annan has succeeded in restoring a sense of respect to the United Nations. Though he speaks with a soft voice, and is known at the United Nations for being polite and elegant, he is also often praised for his toughness and courage. Annan’s goals may be difficult to achieve, but that hasn’t kept him from trying. Courage, he believes, will win out over cowardice in the end.

[注释]：
courageous: having or characterized by courage; valiant 勇敢的　
poverty: the state of being poor; lack of the means of providing material needs or comforts 贫
穷，贫困　
step in: 走进，干涉　
commit: to do, perform, or perpetrate 犯（罪） 　
border: the line or frontier area separating political divisions or geographic regions; a boundary
边界，国界　
realistic: of or relating to the representation of objects, actions, or social conditions as they
actually are 现实(主义)的　
permission: consent, especially formal consent; authorization 许可　
restore: to bring back to an original condition 恢复，使回复　
elegant: characterized by or exhibiting refined, tasteful beauty of manner, form, or style 文雅的，
端庄的，雅致的　
toughness: able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient 坚韧，
韧性　
cowardice: ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain 怯懦，胆小　
　
科菲·安南 1938 年4 月8 日生于加纳，先后在加纳和美国高等学府就读，获经济学学士和管理学硕士学位。1962 年进入联合国工作，先后在联合国非洲经济委员会、联合国总部、联合国日内瓦办事处、联合国难民署和世界卫生组织等部门工作。1996 年12 月17 日，第51 届联大任命安南为联合国第七任秘书长。2001年6 月26 日，第56 届联大批准安南连任，任期至2006 年12 月31 日。