Bush defends Iraq war to U.N.

By Seattle Times news services

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Addressing the U.N. General Assembly six weeks before voters decide on his bid for a second term, Bush again defended his decision to topple the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein, whom he branded an "outlaw dictator."

Earlier, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan opened the 191-nation gathering, and in a pointed rebuke warned that countries that hoped to instill the rule of law must first abide by it themselves. He insisted "every nation that proclaims the rule of law at home must respect it abroad." Although the secretary-general was careful not to name the United States, to the world leaders listening in the chamber, the target of his comments was obvious.

"Those who seek to bestow legitimacy must themselves embody it," he said, "and those who invoke international law must themselves submit to it."

That comment was a reference to Bush's challenge to the United Nations in 2002 to enforce its numerous resolutions demanding Iraq rid itself of illicit weapons. The United States invaded without the explicit approval of the Security Council, and last week, Annan called the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq "illegal."

Yesterday, Annan cited relief workers, journalists and other noncombatants in Iraq who have been taken hostage and, in some cases, beheaded. And he singled out the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, calling it disgraceful. "No cause, no grievance, however legitimate in itself, can begin to justify such acts," Annan said.

"They [such acts] put all of us to shame," he said. "Their prevalence reflects our collective failure to uphold the rule of law and instill respect for it in our fellow men and women."

Bush also spoke of lawlessness, noting the recent mass killing of schoolchildren in Russia. But he did not mention the abuse of the Iraqi prisoners.

"All civilized nations are in this together, and all must fight the murderers," he said.

In his 24-minute speech, Bush also urged action on issues that have been less polarizing at the world body: a ban on human cloning, a clampdown on human trafficking, efforts to fight AIDS, poverty and corruption. He decried the "terrible suffering and horrible crimes" in Sudan's Darfur region and called on Israel to "impose a settlement freeze," while urging new Palestinian leadership.

The president was received politely, but not enthusiastically, by the U.N. delegates, many from countries that opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and balked at sending in forces to rebuild the country.
 
Bush offered no second thoughts on the war, giving an upbeat assessment of world affairs in general and Iraq in particular.

"During the past three years, I've addressed this General Assembly in a time of tragedy for my country and in times of decision for all of us," he said. "Now we gather at a time of tremendous opportunity for the U.N. and for all peaceful nations."

He then vowed to push ahead with his first-strike strategy to root out terrorism. "In this young century, our world needs a new definition of security," Bush said, suggesting that national security no longer lies strictly within some "spheres of influence, or some balance of power," but rather within the "advancing rights of mankind."

Toward that end, he proposed a new democracy fund within the United Nations to build the institutions of democracy, legal systems with independent courts, a free press and political parties.

Bush's appearance at the United Nations put him back on the world stage, with sideline meetings with a handful of world leaders as he prepares for the first debate with Democrat John Kerry next week on foreign policy and national-security issues.

Bush never mentioned his challenger, but in a session with reporters after a meeting with the interim Iraqi prime minister, Ayad Allawi, Bush said the Massachusetts senator had taken "so many different positions on Iraq that his statements are hardly credible at all."

Campaigning in Jacksonville, Fla., Kerry ridiculed the president for "lecturing" the U.N. delegates yesterday and said Bush "needs to live in the world of reality, not in a world of fantasy spin."

Offering a critique of the president's speech, Kerry said, "I believe the president missed an opportunity of enormous importance for our nation and for the world. ... We need not to stay the course, but to change the course so we can be successful, and the urgency grows with every single day."

With the casualty toll in Iraq rising and with a rash of recent suicide attacks, Bush did not dwell on his decision to invade Iraq. He briefly revisited the Security Council's refusal to authorize war in Iraq. Noting that the Security Council had vowed "serious consequences" for Saddam's failure to comply with its resolutions, Bush said "a coalition of nations enforced the just demands of the world."

Bush also called on the U.N. and its members to "do more to help build an Iraq that is secure, democratic, federal and free."

Where Kerry said he saw chaos, Bush said he saw progress — and hope — in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"These two nations will be a model for the broader Middle East, a region where millions have been denied basic human rights and simple justice," Bush said. "For too long, many nations, including my own, tolerated, even excused, oppression in the Middle East in the name of stability."

Still, he warned again — as he has for months — of a "demanding" mission ahead, complicated by escalating violence, particularly in Iraq with the approach of expected elections in January.

"But these difficulties will not shake our conviction that the future of Afghanistan and Iraq is a future of liberty," Bush vowed. "The proper response to difficulty is not to retreat. It is to prevail."

In the appearance with Allawi, Bush dismissed questions about a CIA report that warned Iraq is in danger of further disorganization and possibly civil war.

"The Iraqi citizens are defying the pessimistic predictions," Bush said, adding: "Iraqi citizens are seeing a determined effort by responsible citizens to lead to a more hopeful tomorrow, and I am optimistic we'll succeed."

Material from The Dallas Morning News, The Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post is included in this report.