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U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN: I speak to you at a grave moment
for the international community. Throughout last year, I have appealed
on many occasions to the Yugoslav authorities and to the Kosovar Albanians
to seek peace over war, compromise over conflict. I deeply regret that
in spite of all the efforts made by the international community, the
Yugoslav authorities have persisted in their rejection of a political
settlement which would have halted the bloodshed in Kosovo and secured
an equitable peace for the population.
It is indeed tragic that diplomacy has failed, but there are
times when the use of force may be legitimate in the pursuit of peace.
In helping maintain international peace and security, Chapter 7 of the
United Nations Charter assigns an important role to regional organizations.
But as secretary-general, I have many times pointed out, not just in
relation to Kosovo, that under the Charter, the Security Council has
primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security,
and this is explicitly acknowledged in the North Atlantic Treaty. Therefore,
the Council should be involved in any decision to resort to force.
Thank you very much.
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