UN secretary-general: war in Iraq illegal

In a BBC News interview, UN secretary-general Kofi Annan said, "I am one of those that to beleive that there should have been a second resolution because the security council indicated that if Iraq did not comply there will be consequences. But then it was up to the security council to approve or determine what those consequences should be."

When asked, "So you don't think there was legal authority for the war" he said "I have stated clearly that it was not in conformity with the Secuirty Counceil -- with the UN Charter." When the interviewer pressed asking "It was illegal?," his answer was "Yes, if you wish." When pressed further, he said, "Yes, I have indicated it is not in conformity with the UN Charter, from our point of view and from the Charter point of view it was illegal."

Furthormore, he states that there could not be "credible elections if the security conditions continue as they are now."

Related articles:

• U.N. Chief Ignites Firestorm by Calling Iraq War 'Illegal' (The New York Times, September 17, 2004)


• Iraq war illegal, says Annan (BBC News, September 16, 2004)

Related posts:

• Former adviser charges Bush manufactured case for Iraq war (March 23, 2004)


• Where are the WMD? (June 2, 2003)


• Is the war legal? (March 21, 2003)


• The invasion of Iraq: an unjust war (March 20, 2003)