Global Policy Forum

By Paul Ames

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed Sunday for Europe and the United States to back a major overhaul of global security measures to combat terrorism, keep weapons of mass destruction from spreading and quell regional conflicts. The U.N. plans call for tougher inspection rules for nuclear installations, a trust fund to help poorer nations fight terrorism, a drive to strengthen public health defenses against germ warfare and quicker action against potential threats.

"We must strengthen our collective defenses," Annan told an international conference of top security officials as he lobbied for approval of the new steps following the deep divisions that plagued the United Nations over the Iraq war in 2003. "If New York or London or Paris or Berlin were hit by a nuclear terrorist attack, it might not only kill hundreds of thousands in an instant," he said. "It could also devastate the global economy, thereby plunging millions into poverty in developing nations."

Annan suggested incentives for nations to stop uranium enrichment that could be used to make nuclear bombs. He also said U.N. nations should adopt a common definition of terrorism and draft an anti-terrorism convention, which should include financial help for nations to meet counterterrorism commitments. "The United Nations must show zero tolerance of terrorism of any kind, for any reason," Annan said. Annan has invited world leaders to a summit at U.N. headquarters in September to approve the plans.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer broadly backed Annan's security reform plans and urged the United States, as the world's most powerful nation, to play a leading role. But Fischer, whose government vehemently opposed the Iraq war, rejected calls for NATO to play a security role in Iraq by offering to protect U.N. operations there. "I don't see any added value for NATO in Iraq," he said, replying to a suggestion by Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., who was at the conference.

Fischer also called on Washington to play a more active role in European-led diplomatic efforts to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. "If the United States were to engage positively, and I'm aware of how difficult that is, it would substantially strengthen the European drive," he said.

Annan's call for greater collective security came after Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged Saturday that even the United States cannot battle terrorism and other world threats on its own. "One nation cannot defeat the extremists alone," Rumsfeld said. "It will take the cooperation of many nations to stop the proliferation of dangerous weapons."