| Bush asks UN for help in Iraq; France, others critical of U.S. dominance at 13:02 on September 23, 2003, EST. |
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President Bush addresses the 58th U.N. General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters Tuesday. (AP/Richard Drew) UNITED NATIONS (CP) - U.S. President George W. Bush, in a critical speech Tuesday to the United Nations, said it's time to put differences over Iraq aside and work together to improve the country. He also called for a new UN-led measure to track and dispose of weapons of mass destruction. Bush, in measured tones, said the UN Security Council was right to be alarmed about Saddam Hussein and demand he destroy such weapons. And he emphasized the progress in Iraq under U.S. occupation, calling new advances for Iraqis "a world away from the squalor, the vicious tyranny they have known." "Across the Middle East, people are safer," said Bush. "Across the world nations are more secure." While acknowledging that other nations disagreed with the U.S.-led invasion, Bush said "there was and remains unity among us on the fundamental principles and objectives of the United Nations." "So let us move forward ... All nations of goodwill should step forward and provide (support)." Bush gave no details about the money and troops he is seeking to take pressure off U.S. soldiers, who are dying almost daily in Iraq. Americans are also facing a bill of $87 billion US this year for the Iraq effort. French President Jacques Chirac, who wants a quick resumption of Iraqi rule, said the process need to be conducted according to a "realistic timetable" and the United Nations could "help the Iraqis draft a constitution and hold elections." "In Iraq, the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis, who must have sole responsibility for their future, is essential for stability and reconstruction," Chirac said in his speech after Bush. Chirac has said he wants a return of power to the Iraqis in a matter of months. But the U.S. president stood his ground and made it clear he is in no hurry to transfer power to an interim Iraqi government, a critical issue for many countries. "This process must unfold according to the needs of Iraqis, neither hurried or delayed by the needs of other parties," Bush said. Bush, who reinforced U.S. commitment to the United Nations, also stressed the horror of two attacks on UN headquarters in Baghdad, saying the centre "stood for order and compassion and for that reason the terrorists decided it must be destroyed." "Those who target relief workers for death ... reveal their contempt for life itself. They have no claim on the world's sympathy and they should have no friend in this chamber." "There is no neutral ground. All governments that support terror are complicit in a war against civilization. To look the other way gives terrorists the chance to regroup," said Bush. The president said all nations must confront terrorism "as if the lives of their own people depend on it." In so doing, Bush said, they "will earn the favourable judgment of history." Prime Minister Jean Chretien was scheduled to address the General Assembly later Tuesday. Aides said he would emphasize the responsibility of the international community to protect civilians. On Monday, Chretien joined other world leaders in delivering a mild rebuke to the United States, saying "no one country, no matter how powerful, has either the wisdom or the ability to defeat terrorism on its own." Tuesday's speech was a return UN engagement for Bush, who touched off a diplomatic storm a year ago when he urged the world body to act against Saddam. France, Germany and Russia blocked UN authorization and some traditional allies, bitterly opposed to the U.S.-led invasion last spring, are unhappy with the continued U.S. occupation of Iraq. Bush was counting on meetings Tuesday with several leaders, chiefly Chirac, to smooth the way for a new UN resolution to provide a new multinational force for the Iraq effort. The president's continued insistence on retaining political and military control, and a leisurely pace in transferring power to Iraqis, has earned the enmity of France and others. The head of Iraq's interim government has travelled to New York to press for more control of finances and security. In an interview with the New York Times, he said he'll make a pitch for sovereign status for the unelected 25-member Iraqi governing council and rejected the idea of more foreign troops going to Iraq. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in opening a new session, had some harsh words for pre-emptive attacks like the U.S. invasion of Iraq, but also said he understand unilateralism by a superpower feeling vulnerable. He called for fundamental changes to the United Nations, especially expanding the Security Council. "History is a harsh judge," Annan said. "It will not forgive us if we let this moment pass." "The time is ripe for a hard look at fundamental policy issues and the structural changes that are needed." Analysts were not optimistic about success on the diplomatic front, particularly between Bush and Chirac. Chirac said Monday that occupied countries are a breeding ground for terrorism. "When a country is under foreign occupation, it unjustly captures the struggle for freedom for its own ends," said Chirac. "When a community feels ill-treated, terrorism claims to act in its name. So we need to take a cold unflinching look at the world today." Chretien said Monday he "couldn't give a deadline" on when political control should be handed to Iraqis. "The transfer of power to the local authorities has to be done as quickly as possible." Canada committed $300 million Cdn to Iraq months ago. Canada decide against joining the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq but is helping the fight against terrorism by contributing troops to the NATO-led security force in Kabul, Afghanistan. Many countries sympathized with the United States when the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks occurred, but world opinion of U.S. policy has changed dramatically since then, particularly with the invasion of Iraq. Some of the intelligence Bush used to justify the invasion has been discredited. The weapons of mass destruction the U.S. administration warned about have not been found in Iraq. And many countries blame the U.S. military campaign for the influx of terrorists in postwar Iraq. BETH GORHAM |
� The Canadian Press, 2003 |
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