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Annan frowns on `pre-emptive use of force'

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

UNITED NATIONS SEPT. 23. The U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has sharply but indirectly criticised the American war in Iraq saying that the doctrine of pre-emptive military intervention could set the stage for a "lawless use of force".

In his remarks to the General Assembly, which is bound to anger the United States and its President, George W. Bush, Mr. Annan today questioned Washington's argument that nations had a right for the pre-emptive use of force.

"My concern is that, if it were to be adopted, it could set precedents that resulted in a proliferation of the unilateral and lawless use of force, with or without credible justification," Mr. Annan warned. He challenged the international community to come up with measures to deal with such issues as wars, terrorism, poverty and other threats to security.

Mr. Annan argued that the U.N. Charter allowed for military action for self-defence and that the understanding has been that when states decide to use force to deal with threats of international peace and security, that would come with the "unique legitimacy" provided by the United Nations.

Without referring to the United States by name, Mr. Annan said, "now, some say this understanding is no longer tenable since an "armed attack" with weapons of mass destruction could be launched any time".

This rationale, according to Mr. Annan, "represents a fundamental challenge to the principles, on which, however imperfectly, world peace and stability have rested for the last 58 years".

He questioned the attitude of some to go about in the use of force unilaterally or with ad hoc coalitions. As far as developments in Iraq were concerned, Mr. Annan argued that the international community should come together and that the U.N. system was prepared to play its "full role" for a satisfactory outcome.

"Whatever view each of us may take of the events of recent months, it is vital for all of us that the outcome is a stable and democratic Iraq — at peace with itself and with its neighbours, and contributing to stability in the region," he maintained.

Mr. Annan said that the 15-member Security Council may have to consider rewriting the rules on the use of force. "Its members may need to begin a discussion on the criteria for an early authorisation of coercive measures to address certain types of threats — for instance, terrorist groups armed with weapons of mass destruction."

Mr. Annan, in announcing his intention to appoint a high-level panel of eminent personalities to examine how best the U.N. could reform its institutions,criticised the member-states for not being able to agree on a way to expand the Security Council.

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