UN puts its foot down.
 

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (CNN) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said an attack on Iraq would be a violation of the U.N. Charter if it does not have the support of the Security Council.

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/me...1/sprj.irq.un/


According to the Council on Foreign Relations, U.N. sanction for use of military force has also been the exception, not the rule, since the founding of the United Nations after World War II.

In only three out of 26 shooting wars involving U.N. member nations has use of force been authorized by the United Nations -- the Korean War, the 1991 Gulf War and the 2001 conflict in Afghanistan, according to the council.

In all three instances, the United States sought U.N. backing for military action that it led.