Washington, Oct 25: Putting differences between the US and UN during the Iraq war aside, President George W Bush has issued a proclamation on UN day hailing the UN as "a vital international arena" for cooperation among nations and said his country was working with the world body in various areas. "The United Nations is a vital international arena for countries to cooperate in pursuit of political, economic, and social freedoms. Founded by 51 member countries after World War II, the organisation has grown through the years to include 191 member states," Bush said. "On United Nations day, we celebrate the organisation's founding principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights, and we recognise the contributions of the United Nations to improving lives around the world."
Bush said that as an original signatory of the United Nations charter, the United States continued to advance the world body's founding principles.
"We are working with the United Nations to reduce conflicts around the world, fight terrorism, abolish trafficking in persons, and support those in need, including the people of Afghanistan and Iraq as they continue to build free and stable countries," he said.

Bureau Report