United Nations must play key role in stemming spread of banned weapons

WASHINGTON (AFP) Jul 17, 2003
The United Nations can and must play a central role in stemming the spread of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told a joint session of the US Congress Thursday.

Blair called the world body "an instrument of action as well as debate," but added, "The Security Council should be reformed.

"We need a new international regime on the non-proliferation of (weapons of mass destruction). And we need to say clearly to UN members: if you engage in the systematic and gross abuse of human rights, in defiance of the UN charter, you cannot expect to enjoy the same privileges as those that conform to it."

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