'Pre-emptive' attack on Iraq slated by Annan

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan criticised US President George W Bush's "pre-emptive" attack on Iraq but urged world leaders yesterday to set aside their disputes over the war and join forces to build a peaceful democracy in the troubled nation.

While Mr Annan's opposition to the US policy of pre-emptive strikes against perceived threats was likely to anger Mr Bush, his strong appeal for global unity on Iraq's future was sure to win strong American support.

Mr Bush was in the audience as Mr Annan opened the UN General Assembly, the first meeting of world leaders since the invasion of Iraq.

After the September 11 attacks, Defence Secretary Donald H Rumsfeld developed an argument for taking pre-emptive action against enemies who could launch a surprise chemical, biological or nuclear attacks.

Mr Annan warned that such strikes "could set precedents that result in a proliferation of the unilateral and lawless use of force, with or without credible justification."

He underlined that the world should collectively address the threats from terrorists and weapons of mass destruction that spur such "pre-emptive" strikes.

"It is not enough to denounce unilateralism, unless we also face up squarely to the concerns that make some States feel uniquely vulnerable, and thus drive them to take unilateral action. We must show that those concerns can, and will, be addressed effectively through collective action," he said.

Earlier, as leaders streamed into UN headquarters, Mr Annan held a series of early-morning meetings including one with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who told reporters after that he wanted to see power handed over to the Iraqi people in a "matter of months." It was Mr Schroeder's most specific comments yet on a timetable and echoed the French position for a swift handover of power to the Iraqis. Previously, Mr Schroeder had said Berlin would like to see the transfer take place "as quickly as possible."

French President Jacques Chirac told the General Assembly that he believes the transfer of sovereignty to the people of Iraq is "indispensable" to the country's reconstruction.

In his address, Mr Bush called on the international community to work together "to support the emergence of a democratic, peaceful and free Iraq which is at peace with its neighbours in the Middle East."

"We think the international community has a strong interest in Iraq being a success," said US ambassador John Negroponte. "None of us want Iraq to fail."

Mr Annan virtually echoed those words in his prepared text.

"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 said.

The key UN meeting comes after devastating bomb attacks against its headquarters in Baghdad in the past month plunged the world body into mourning and raised questions about its future role.

"Subject to security considerations, the United Nations system is prepared to play its full part in working for a satisfactory outcome in Iraq, and to do so as part of an effort by the whole international community," Mr Annan said in his prepared text.

Mr Annan announced he was establishing a panel to take "a hard look at fundamental policy issues and at the structural changes that may be needed in order to address them."

Mr Annan sent letters to all world leaders ahead of this week's meeting, challenging them to come up with new ideas to deal with wars, terrorism, poverty and other threats to international security.