World Backs Anti-Terrorism; Uneasy About Afghans

12/05/2001| IslamWeb

UNITED NATIONS (Islamweb & News agencies) - Under unprecedented security, world leaders on Saturday gave President Bush a warm but muted greeting during his maiden speech to the United Nations, a short distance from the Sept. 11 carnage at the World Trade Center.All speakers at a U.N. General Assembly session strongly endorsed and promised participation in counter-terrorism measures and again expressed horror at the suicide attacks against the United States.
The bombing of impoverished Afghans along with the ruling Taliban, however, provoked uneasiness among Pakistan and Iran and is expected to draw more criticism by the end at the week-long session on Friday.
Bush issued a stern call for countries to step up contributions to the U.S.-led war on terrorism, telling the ministers attending a high-level General Assembly debate that ''the time for action'' against a global threat had arrived.
``Every nation has a stake in this cause. As we meet, the terrorists are planning more murder, perhaps in my country or perhaps in yours,'' Bush told 48 presidents and prime ministers and more than 115 foreign ministers.
``We're asking for a comprehensive commitment to this fight,'' Bush said in a speech delivered with animation and punctuated with a clenched fist. ``In this war of terror, each of us must answer for what we have done or what we have left undone.''
Bush was in good humor and joked with some ministers who greeted him. But his style was far different from his predecessor, Bill Clinton, often greeted like a political rock star after chatting freely in receiving lines and touching or hugging those he knew.