You shut up, America!
We're warning you.
Posted on 09/12/2002 1:14:05 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
The United States should not go it alone in the war on terrorism, said U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in his speech before the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday.
"Terrorism can be defeated only if all nations unite against it," Annan said.
Calling himself a staunch "multilateralist," Annan said every government committed to the rule of law at home must be committed to the rule of law abroad. It was clear he was addressing the United States, although he did not do so by name.
"Even the most powerful countries know that they need to work with others, in multilateralist institutions, to achieve their aims," Annan said.
"Only by multilateral action can we ensure that open markets offer benefits and opportunities to all; only by multilateral action can we give people in the least developed nations the chance to escape the ugly misery of poverty, ignorance, and disease; only by multilateral action can we protect ourselves from acid rain or global warming..."
Rejecting the multilateral path must not be a matter of political convenience, Annan warned. It has far-reaching consequences, he said, especially in the eyes of the world.
"The more a country makes use of multilateral institutions, thereby respecting shared values and accepting the obligations and restraints inherent in those values, the more others will trust and respect it and the stronger its chance to exercise true leadership."
He said the UN has a special place among multilateral institutions, because it can bestow legitimacy on the actions of member states.
Any state attacked has an inherent right to self-defense, Annan said. But beyond that, when states decided to use force against broader threats, "There is no substitute for the unique legitimacy provided by the United Nations.
"Member states attach importance - great importance, in fact - to such legitimacy and to the international rule of law," he added.
Iraq
Annan told the U.N. General Assembly the leadership of Iraq continues to defy mandatory resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council, with regard to weapons inspections.
He appealed to all those who have influence with Iraq's leaders to impress upon them "the vital importance of accepting weapons inspections.
"This is an indispensable fair step towards assuring the world that all Iraq's weapons of mass destruction have indeed been eliminated, Annan said.
"I urge Iraq to comply with its obligations [U.N. Security Council resolutions] for the sake of its own people, and for the sake of world order. If Iraq's defiance continues, the [Security] Council must face its responsibilities."
In his speech, Annan identified four current threats to world peace: In addition to Iraq, he mentioned the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Afghanistan; and India-Pakistan.
"Terrorism can be defeated only if all nations unite against it," Annan said.
Fine Kofi. You may go to Iraq with us, but stay out of the way and try not to get hurt.
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