No Military Solution in Afghanistan: AnnanStressing there is no military solution in Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged on October 9 the forming of a government in Afghanistan representing all Afghans.Addressing the press after a close-door meeting of the Security Council, Annan said efforts should be focused on bringing all Afghans to work together and create a broad-based government. "On the political front, the UN has been engaged in this matter for quite a long time," he said. "We have always maintained that there is no military solution in Afghanistan." "We would also need to support the cooperation of the regional and neighboring government," he said. Responding to the question whether a US letter to the Security Council containing intentions of strikes against other countries post any concern to the UN chief, Annan said the US has indicated the sentence causing anxiety is not a predictor. "Basically the statement gives them an option," Annan said. Newly appointed US Representative to the UN John Negroponte said in a letter to the council that the military operations in Afghanistan are actions of self-defense taken in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and the US may find its self-defense requires "further actions with respect to other organization and other States." |
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