Annan Warns of Narrow Focus on Terrorism
Annan Warns of Too-Narrow Focus on Fighting Terrorism; Ashcroft Appeals for Help in Iraq

DAVOS, Switzerland Jan. 23 — U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned the United States and other rich countries Friday that a too-narrow focus on fighting terrorism could worsen global tensions and threaten human rights.

Addressing the World Economic Forum, the U.N. chief said international terrorism threatens peace and stability and "has the potential to exacerbate cultural, religious and ethnic dividing lines."

Yet in unusually blunt criticism apparently aimed at the Bush administration, he said that the war against terror also carried the risk of aggravating such tensions, "as well as raising concerns about protection of human rights and civil liberties."

The war on terror also has redirected world attention "dangerously away" from other pressing concerns such as poverty, hunger and disease, Annan said, adding that it was "time to rebalance the international agenda."

"The most privileged members" of the United Nations, he said, were "currently and understandably preoccupied with terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. (But) the U.N. must also protect millions of our fellow men and women from the more familiar threats of poverty, hunger and deadly diseases."

The aftermath of the war and dealing with the threat of terrorism has been a running theme this year at the annual gathering of global business and political leaders in this Alpine resort.

Hours after Annan's speech, Attorney General John Ashcroft said the "entirety of the world community" was needed to eliminate terrorism and establish freedom in Iraq.