U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan lashed out at President Bush's "pre-emptive" attack on Iraq, but called world leaders Tuesday to set aside their disputes over the war and join hands to create a peaceful democracy in the occupied country.
Bush is expected to deliver a speech before the U.N. General Assembly shortly after Annan, during the first meeting of world leaders since the invasion of Iraq.
In his address to Tuesday's opening of the assembly, released in advance, Annan urged U.N. member states to re-examine the way the international community is dealing with wars, terrorism, poverty and other threats to international security.
After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld raised an argument for taking pre-emptive action against enemies who could launch a surprise chemical, biological or nuclear attacks.
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
