Annan Says U.S. Will Violate Charter if It Acts Without Approval

NYT ^ | 3/10/2003 | Patrick Tyler and Felicity Barringer

[ex-Texan]

Annan Says U.S. Will Violate Charter if It Acts Without Approval

UNITED NATIONS, March 10 — Secretary General Kofi Annan warned today that if the United States fails to win approval from the Security Council for an attack on Iraq, Washington's decision to act alone or outside the Council would violate the United Nations charter.

***

Mr. Annan's remarks drew a sharp response from Washington, where the Bush administration, like its allies overseas, was engaged in a strong lobbying effort to win the necessary nine votes to pass a resolution this week authorizing war.

The White House spokesman Ari Fleischer in a strongly worded retort said that "from a moral point of view," if the United Nations fails to support the Bush administration's war aims, it will have "failed to act once again," as it did in Kosovo in the face of persecution of the ethnic Albanians by Serbia and earlier in Rwanda in the face of genocidal massacres by Hutus against Tutsis.

Some international legal experts also took issue with Mr. Annan's assertions ***

***

[dsutah]

Yeah, but wouldn't the Dems. of leftist persuasion put up a terrible fight? They'd be screaming: "Hey, you can't do that!".

[Beck_isright]

"Yeah, but wouldn't the Dems. of leftist persuasion put up a terrible fight? They'd be screaming: "Hey, you can't do that!"."

I think that depends on the next terrorist attack. Then we'll all be screaming bloody hell to get out of there. I hope at least.

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

that's a keeper!

[KingNo155]

LOL; Good point

[I'm ALL Right!]

and we care because....???

[maui_hawaii]

Without the UN France nor Annan either one would have a job anymore.

Can't have that now can we? /sarcasm

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

You are an inspiration. I just sent a letter, as well. Thanks for the email address.

[B-Cause]

Bump

Hey Kofi: KISS MY ASS!

Mine too!

[Hoverbug]

Hey Kofi: KISS MY ASS!

Mine too!

Mine too!

[kanawa]

Article 51

Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.

I can't see where the US would be in violation of the UN Charter. I suppose some could argue that the Security Council "has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security." but only if you consider waffling and weaseling as indicative of the " authority and responsibility of the Security Council"

[T Lady]

The United Nations has quickly morphed into the Useless Nations IMHO.

...It's time to kick these ingrates off our soil and make better use of that piece of Real Estate in New York.

-Regards, T.