Quote:
BBC Article
[SIZE=2]Iraq war illegal, says Annan[/SIZE]
The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has told the BBC the US-led invasion of Iraq was an illegal act that contravened the UN charter.
He said the decision to take action in Iraq should have been made by the Security Council, not unilaterally.
The UK government responded by saying the attorney-general made the "legal basis... clear at the time".
Mr Annan also warned security in Iraq must considerably improve if credible elections are to be held in January.
The UN chief said in an interview with the BBC World Service that "painful lessons" had been learnt since the war in Iraq.
"Lessons for the US, the UN and other member states. I think in the end everybody's concluded it's best to work together with our allies and through the UN," he said.
'Valid'
"I hope we do not see another Iraq-type operation for a long time - without UN approval and much broader support from the international community," he added.
He said he believed there should have been a second UN resolution following Iraq's failure to comply over weapons inspections.
And it should have been up to the Security Council to approve or determine the consequences, he added.
When pressed on whether he viewed the invasion of Iraq as illegal, he said: "Yes, if you wish. I have indicated it was not in conformity with the UN charter from our point of view, from the charter point of view, it was illegal." |
Opinion:
I am glad the UN has proclaimed to the world the "criminal" nature of these persons who administrate our nation. I believe we may need them to help protect us from our leaders some day.
Ad hominems and unsubstantiated claims removed by Moderator.
Sub-topic:
Is Kofi Annan right? Was the War on Iraq illegal? Who is in charge of the United States of America...the UN or the people of the US? Subdiscussion added by Moderator.