Iraq complains to U.N. about legality of war

Reuters | 3/20/03 | Evelyn Leopold

[kattracks]

UNITED NATIONS, March 20 (Reuters) - Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations said on Thursday he wrote a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan maintaining that the U.S.-led attack against his country was a violation of international law.

The letter, Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri told Reuters Television, would quote U.S. President George W. Bush, saying "that he started the war."

Aldouri said he wanted the United Nations to show it was adhering to its charter. "This is a war of aggression ... a violation of international law," he said.

At the same time the United States, Britain and Australia, the three nations with troops preparing to invade Iraq, were writing a letter to the U.N. Security Council giving the official justification of their actions, diplomats of the three countries said.

On Monday, the United States, Britain and Spain gave up diplomacy at the United Nations, withdrew their draft Security Council resolution authorizing force and blamed France for their inability to get the minimum nine votes needed for adoption.

But Iraq wants the council to reopen a debate on the U.S.-led invasion and Syria, a council member, is contacting ambassadors to see if that is feasible, diplomats said.

Should the council turn it down, Indonesia wants to take the issue to the 191-member General Assembly, an official from Indonesia's U.N. mission said. Nations opposed to war will probably muster a majority in the assembly.

The war touched off a torrent of international protests led by France, Russia, Germany and China, They followed speeches by the foreign ministers of France, Russia and Germany, who told the Security Council on Wednesday the United States was acting illegally by attacking Iraq and in its goal of overthrowing President Saddam Hussein.

"France regrets this action taken without the approval of the United Nations," President Jacques Chirac said in a televised address. "No matter how long this conflict lasts, it will have serious consequences for the future."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iraq presented no danger. The war was a "big political error" that flouted world opinion and international law, he said.

"This military action is unjustified ... there has been no answer to the main question which is: are there weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and, if so, which ones," a grim-faced Putin told Russia's top ministers in the Kremlin.

On Wednesday Russian Foreign minister Igor Ivanov added his voice, saying there was "no indisputable evidence" showing Iraq threatened in the United States. If there were Russia would use "any means available" to eliminate such a threat.

But he said "the Security Council today is not in possession of such facts." ((Reporting by Evelyn Leopold,

[Caipirabob]

Attention UN:

[Kerberos]

"President Jacques Chirac said in a televised address. "No matter how long this conflict lasts, it will have serious consequences for the future." "

You got that right Jack, this will screw your oil deals up for a long time to come.

[Brett66]

Maybe they could pass a resolution against us, we'll get back to them in a couple of decades.

[TankerKC]

So?

[Sofa King]

Ignoring UN resolutions for 12 years, then complaining to them when we invade them. Has Dashle been coaching Saddam?

[xJones]

"This military action is unjustified ... there has been no answer to the main question which is: are there weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and, if so, which ones," a grim-faced Putin told Russia's top ministers in the Kremlin.

This quote should be thrown to Pooty Poo the next time he takes action against Chechnaya which, BTW, Russians never went before the U.N. for approval. That is their Muslim war and Russian soldiers are doing their usual behavior, but human shields don't show up for that: click

[Dubya]

Iraq complains to U.N. about legality of war
HEY SADDUM

[dodger]

Iraq violated the Armistice, thus the first Gulf War continues anew under long-established principles of war and diplomacy. Bleatings-on by self-styled 'international lawyers' much less UN windbags really do not matter.

My main beef is this didn't start in 1998 when Hussy pitched the inspectorate out whilst Bubba was getting bleated-on in quite another mode ....

[Gamecock]

Oh, OK...

Let's take it to the Security Council. Which permenant member could veto any resolutions? Let me think......

[TLBSHOW]

What the UN needs is to be finished off and Mr. President we don't need anymore speechs that the UN is needed, instead its time to talk the talk that the UN can get out of America and the US get out of the UN.

[goodnesswins]

Tell that to all the murdered, tortured Iraqi's....

[Jemian]

Perhaps they'll pass a resolution against us, or maybe... a sanction! I'm worried now.

We need to get out of the UN. We should take our 25% of their budget with us. And we should charge them rent and make them pay their traffic tickets.

[geedee]

Do you remember that show "Welcome back Kotter?" If so, what was the name of the character who always got a note from his mother? That's what these silly-ass Iraqis sound like to me. Complaining to Kofi-babe about the U.S. will receive the same results. If he wasn't so pathetic, the little Iraqi kewpie-doll would almost be humorous.

Wanna take any wagers as to whether the jackass Iraqi Ambassador stays here or returns to Iraq to help Saddam's cause?

[Rome2000]

Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations said on Thursday he wrote a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan maintaining that the U.S.-led attack against his country was a violation of international law.

If this jew hating SOB is still ambassador 30 days from now we will start to look pathetic.

Somebody push this untermenschen into a car and get him into a cell.

[plusone]

No, the main beef is that it didn't end in 91 when Bush Sr had the chance to oust Saddam. Apparently, Powel talked him out of it, saying it wasn't necessary to overthrow Hussein to win the war. And here is Powel again.

[Cosmo]

I suggest that, if they do put up a resolution condemning us, that we sign it too in the interest of demonstrating just how irrelevant the UN is. Now that would make me smile.

[D-fendr]

Send the message to Chirac - attached to a Scud.

[NEWwoman]

Ignoring UN resolutions for 12 years, then complaining to them when we invade them. Has Dashle been coaching Saddam?

Sounds like Clinton!

[vigilante2]

Its amazing how the Iraqis and the libs sound so much alike