WASHINGTON, March 9: United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan has publicly challenged the Clinton administration's oft-repeated stand that the United States has the authority to automatically launch a military strike on Iraq if Baghdad does not comply with the latest weapons inspection agreement.In an ABC television talk show yesterday, he said the US would need to consult the United Nations Security Council before resorting to such a step.Annan's views are at variance with that of the Clinton administration which insists that it would need no further permission for the military action in case of Iraqi non-compliance of the agreement he had signed with the UN in Baghdad last month.
In support of the US contention, President Bill Clinton drew attention to the phrase ``severest consequences,'' in the resolution adopted by the Security Council, endorsing the accord. ``It provides authority to act if Iraq does not turn the commitment it has now made into compliance,'' Clinton said last Tuesday.
Theworld body chief, on his part, made it a point to put on record views of three of the five permanent members of the Security Council -- Russia, France and China -- who had objected to giving the United States a carte blanche to launch military action. However, the other two -- the US and Britain -- held the opposite view.
``The Russians, the French and (the) Chinese resisted this idea of automaticity. And therefore, if the United States had to strike, I think some sort of consultations with the other members would be required,'' Annan remarked.
``If Iraq were to break the agreement, it would be much easier to get an agreement in the Security Council to take military action, Annan felt.Under the new agreement, Iraq has promised to allow UN weapons' inspectors unfettered access to its ``sensitive and presidential sites,'' the refusal of which had earlier precipitated the crisis heightened by the US threat of military action.
Annan appreciated the fact that the United States had had extensive consultationswith other countries while considering the use of force and said, ``I suspect, whatever happens in the future, that kind of consultation will take place.''
Meanwhile, the US has made known its opposition to Moscow's demand for the appointment of a Russian as a second deputy on the UN weapons inspection commission (UNSCOM). ``We are not very crazy about the idea,'' American UN Ambassador Bill Richardson said, indicating that the US might veto the Russian plea.
Annan yesterday responded to the Russian demand, saying ``I will proceed in the sense of putting the issue before the Council members, and the United States can exercise its veto, but at least the Council will be able to discuss whether it is a legitimate request.''
