Global Policy Forum

By Robert Holloway

Brushing aside fears that the United States might distance itself from the United Nations, Secretary of State Colin Powell declared strong support for the world body Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters here, Powell, who took office last month, broke no new ground on policy, repeating that Iraq must respect UN Security Council resolutions, and calling on Israelis and Palestinians to show restraint to reduce violence.

Some diplomats had forecast the United States would be less involved with the organisation under President George W. Bush than it was under his predecessor, Bill Clinton.

Powell said that in an hour-long meeting with Secretary General Kofi Annan, he had taken "the opportunity to express the president's strong support for the work of the UN."

Standing beside him, Annan said: "We had a very good discussion going over a whole range of issues and trouble-spots around the world and UN reform, as well as the US-UN relationship, which we believe is on a very good footing."

Both men noted that Powell had chosen to make the UN headquarters on the banks of New York's East River his first "visit outside the US" since he was appointed last month.

Both also said they were glad the main irritant in the bilateral relationship -- a lengthy dispute over the level of US contributions which cut huge holes in the UN's budget -- had been removed.

Powell paid tribute to Richard Holbrooke, former US ambassador to the United Nations and a Clinton appointee, who negotiated an end to the dispute less than a month before he left his post January 19.

Bush has yet to name Holbrooke's successor, and has made it clear the new ambassador will not have cabinet rank, as Holbrooke did.

But Powell said this "should not cause the United Nations any concern whatsoever."

He said that "it takes us a while in our process to come up with people for jobs," but added:

"I assured the secretary general earlier that this process is well under way and he will in the not-too-distant future see the naming of a permanent representative who I am confident will do a superb job."

Asked whether the Bush administration would give Annan "manouevering room" in talks which he is scheduled to hold here with senior Iraqi officials on February 26 and 27, Powell replied:

"Talks can always be useful and it would presumptuous of me to suggest to the secretary general what he might or might not talk about."

He said it was "necessary for peace in the region" that Iraq respect UN resolutions calling on its to allow arms inspectors to verify that it no longer has weapons of mass destruction.

He sidestepped a question about possibly refining UN sanctions, saying:

"We are reviewing our policy in the region, both with respect to our responsibility as a member of the United Nations, and our individual polices with respect to Iraq."

Asked for his views on the International Criminal Court -- the bugbear of Republican members of the US Congress -- Powell said:

"The Bush administration does not support the International Criminal Court. President Clinton signed the treaty, but we have no plans to send it forward to the Senate for ratification."

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