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UNITED NATIONS: The Vatican, has in its first speech ever to the UN General Assembly's annual autumn session (rpt) annual autumn sessioncriticised the war in Iraq and unilateral responses to terrorism.
Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary of the Holy See's relations with states, spoke in broad terms without mentioning the US-led coalition that invaded Iraq or nations that have acted unilaterally against terrorists. He referred to Pope John Paul II's fervent opposition to the Iraq war.
"Everyone can see that it did not lead to a safer world either inside or outside Iraq," he said as the Assembly's two-week annual ministerial session neared an end.
He stressed, however, that it is imperative to support Iraq's new government to bring normalcy and democracy there.
Regarding terrorism worldwide, the Archbishop said nations must work together to tackle the growing scourge.
"It seems obvious that terrorism can only be effectively challenged through a concerted multilateral approach ... and not through the politics of unilateralism," he said.
The fight against terrorism requires long-term action against terrorism's underlying causes, he said, adding that the Roman Catholic church aids in that work by promoting mutual understanding among religions.
The Vatican has had an observer mission at the United Nations since 1964, and Pope John Paul II visited the General Assembly 25 years ago.
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