Backing for UN role in anti-terror fight

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s call for the UN to play a major role in the long-term international fight against terrorism won immediate support from the United States, Russia and China.

However, the body is still struggling to decide what it can and should do.

Addressing a scaled-down meeting of the General Assembly in New York, Mr Annan declared that only the United Nations could give ‘‘global legitimacy’’ to the long-term struggle against ‘‘the unspeakable horror’’ of terrorism.

He urged all countries to work together to strengthen international peace and security ‘‘by cementing the ties among nations, and not subjecting them to new strains’’.

Last week, the General Assembly postponed its annual gathering of global leaders because of security concerns following the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

Nonetheless, the 189 nations in the world body are going ahead with their work programme among lower level representatives - with the exception of Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov who was in New York after talks in Washington.

Backing Mr Annan, Mr Ivanov told the General Assembly that the United Nations should lead any global action against terrorism and warned against moves that could erode international law.

‘‘It is necessary to strengthen and enhance the role of the United Nations as an indispensable instrument for maintaining international peace and security and for mobilising people of the world against new, unprecedented threats,’’ he said.

China’s UN Ambassador Wang Yingfan urged all countries to strengthen co-operation ‘‘and make joint efforts for the sake of their common interests to prevent and combat all forms of terrorist activities.’’

‘‘The United Nations should play an important role in this regard,’’ he said.

Cameron Hume, the third-ranking US diplomat, said: ‘‘The UN must play an international role in marshalling the international community’s long-term efforts to defeat this scourge.’’

‘‘This is a crucial moment for the United Nations,’’ Hume said. ‘‘It has a chance to live up to the ideals on which it was founded. The United States pledges its support to the United Nations.’’