UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Wednesday that he had seen no evidence linking Iraq to the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11th, and that an attack on Iraq would be "unwise."
Speaking to reporters at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Annan added that military action against Iraq would enflame an already tense situation in the Middle East. He added, however, that Iraq must allow the return of weapon inspectors and comply with Security Council resolutions.
The U.N. secretary general made his comments during his annual review of U.N. activities.
On the question of Afghanistan, Annan said the challenge was now to make the Bonn agreement work on the ground. He said it was crucial that people in the country work together in the best interests of Afghanistan, but that it would not be easy since the country has been at war for over two decades.
Speaking on relations between Israel and Palestinians, Annan said "I have made it quite clear that I would prefer to see a collective international initiative."
He said the United States, the European Union, the Russian Federation and Arab leaders have been working together, but added that the engagement of the US is "crucial" in the region. Bureau Report