Annan calls for overhaul of world security systems

UN Secretary-General appealed to Europe and US to back a major overhaul of global security measures used to combat terrorism.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sunday appealed to Europe and the United States to back a major overhaul of global security measures used to combat terrorism, keeping weapons of mass destruction from spreading and quell regional conflicts.

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Annan presented an apocalyptic warning as he lobbied for new, common steps after the deep divisions that opened up within the United Nations over the Iraq war in 2003.

"We must strengthen our collective defences," he told an international conference of top security officials.

"If New York or London or Paris or Berlin were hit by a nuclear terrorist attack, it might not only kill hundreds of thousands in an instant," he said. "It could also devastate the global economy, thereby plunging millions into poverty in developing nations."

The UN plans call for tougher rules to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, a trust fund to help poorer nations fight terrorism, a drive to strengthen public health defences against germ warfare and a quicker action against potential threats.

Annan suggested tougher inspection rules for nuclear installations and incentives for nations to stop uranium enrichment that could be used to make nuclear bombs. He also said UN nations should adopt a common definition of terrorism and then draft an anti-terrorism convention, which should include financial help for nations to meet counter-terrorism commitments.

"The United Nations must show zero tolerance of terrorism of any kind, for any reason," Annan said.