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| Axis of Evil |
| NATO Leader Implores U.N. Over Iraq |
| 2003-01-24 |
| NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson told a conference in London that the crisis over Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction "strikes at the very credibility of multilateralism and the U.N." Robertson said that "if Saddam does not change course completely, the international community must act if it - and especially the U.N. - is not to lose all credibility in the face of dictators and outlaw regimes throughout the world." SEE: League of Nations Robertson, who announced Wednesday that he will step down in December after four years as head of the 19-nation alliance, spoke at a conference on international affairs organized by business group City Forum. He said Saddam had been in "flagrant breach" of previous U.N. orders to disarm, and weapons inspectors "are uncovering clear evidence that Saddam has continued to lie to the U.N." NATO members are divided on the prospect of military action against Iraq. France and Germany oppose a war, but British Prime Minister Tony Blair has strongly backed President Bush's threat to use force to rid Iraq of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs. The divisions forced NATO to postpone a decision Wednesday to start the military planning for a possible Iraq role. The alliance is now discussing a request from the United States to provide backup should war break out, notably by NATO member Turkey. If they don't approve it, NATO is done. Either that, or expel France/Germany. |
| Posted by:Steve |