News Stories - Chirac at the UN
 
The argument over the Iraq war goes on. President Chirac said the war, undertaken without Security Council approval, had undermined the multilateral system. In remarks directed at the United States, he said no one could act alone in the name of everyone. No one could claim the right to use force unilaterally and pre-emptively.

Multilateralism was the key, Mr Chirac said, and it was a modern idea suited to complex global problems. Mr Chirac emphasised that transferring sovereignty to the Iraqis was essential though he set no deadline and he also talked about the gradual transfer of administrative and economic responsibilities according to a realistic timetable.

Mr Chirac called for far-reaching reform of the UN itself including the Security Council, echoing a theme laid out by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and he backed Mr Annan's idea of a high level panel to look at the challenges facing the UN and possible reform of its institutions.
 
- vocabulary:
undertaken without Security Council approval: which happened without the Security Council's official permission
In remarks directed at the United States: In part of his speech aimed at the United States
no one could act alone in the name of everyone: no one could act alone on behalf of everyone


Multilateralism was the key: Involving many countries was the solution
a modern idea suited to complex global problems: a new idea good for difficult world problems
transferring sovereignty: giving the power to be an independent self-governing country
according to a realistic timetable: following a practical plan


far-reaching reform: significant changes

echoing a theme laid out by: repeating an idea explained by

a high level panel: a group of senior, influential people
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