Message Board

Is the US acting as a sole superpower by snubbing UN? Post your views

United Nations: France on September 23 launched a scathing attack on the United States' war in Iraq without the United Nations' approval and suggested the Security Council be empowered to set the bounds of use of force and Iraq be restored sovereignty under the guidance of the world body.

"No one is entitled to arrogate to himself the right to utilise it (use of force) unilaterally and preventively. Conversely, in the face of mounting threats, states must have an assurance that the Council has appropriate means of evaluation and collective action at its disposal and that it has the will to act," French President Jacques Chirac said in his address to UN General Assembly.

Proposing "a deep reforms" of the UN by expanding the Security Council's permanent and non- permanent members, he said the expansion should be accompanied by strengthening the authority of the Council to set the bounds of use of force.

Stating that France places high premium on national sovereignty, Chirac said its scope can, and must, be limited in cases of gross violation of Human Rights and humanitarian law.

"In an open world, no one can be isolated, no one can act alone in everyone's name and no one can accept the anarchy of a lawless society," said the French President who led the international campaign against the US-led conflict in Iraq.

He asserted the United States' embarking on war in Iraq without the UN Security Council approval had undermined multilateralism and global system of collective security.

PTI