Global perspective Human stories

Military action in Afghanistan set in context of Security Council's anti-terror stance - Annan

Military action in Afghanistan set in context of Security Council's anti-terror stance - Annan

Kofi Annan
The States carrying out their military action in Afghanistan have set it in the context of the determination expressed by the Security Council immediately after the 11 September attacks to use all means to combat threats to international peace and security caused by terror acts, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today.

In a statement released at UN Headquarters in New York this morning, the Secretary-General said the ongoing action must also be viewed in the light of the Council reaffirmation of the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter.

"To defeat terrorism, we need a sustained effort and a broad strategy that unite all nations, and address all aspects of the scourge we face," Mr. Annan said. "The cause must be pursued by many countries working together, using many different means - including political, legal, diplomatic and financial means."

Mr. Annan also called attention to the dire plight of Afghan civilians. "The people of Afghanistan, who cannot be held responsible for the acts of the Taliban regime, are now in desperate need of aid," Mr. Annan said. "The United Nations has long played a vital role in providing humanitarian assistance to them, and it is my hope that we will be able to step up our humanitarian work as soon as possible."

Stressing the need for the international community to work "harder than ever" to encourage a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan, he said the UN was "actively engaged in promoting the creation of a fully representative, multi-ethnic and broad-based Afghan Government."