As one of the event to celebrate the 130 anniversary of the University of South Africa, Straw was invited to make a speech on "Iraq, Multilateralism and International Rule of Law" on Wednesday at the main camps of the university in Pretoria.

When asked by Xinhua that during the rebuilding of Iraq, Europe wanted the UN to play a critical role while the US did not agree, the British minister said "as to whether UN plays a critical role in the reconstruction of Iraq, the answer is Yes."

"This is not only the view of mine; it's also the commitment of Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George W. Bush. The UN will work with the coalition (force) in Iraq."

The foreign secretary admitted that there were wide divisions between Europe on Iraqi issues, and he warned that people should not make Europe oppose US, "and more and more European countries have support US and UK positions in this issue."

In his speech, the British foreign secretary acknowledged that Britain's policy towards Iraq has raised much trenchant criticism from South Africa and Africa continent.

People are afraid that by toppling Saddam Hussein's regime, US and UK have ushered in "a dangerous new era, where force of arms and national self-interest will prevail over force of reason and the collective good."

"That is no part of my or Britain's thinking," Straw said.

The world in the new century faces many issues that transcend national boundaries. Terrorism, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, poverty and disease, all these need the concerted efforts of all countries in world, he said.

"The idea that one state, even a superpower, can solve these problems alone is absurd." Straw said.

"So the UN and other multilateral organizations have a crucial role in meeting the challenges of 21st century. In many respects they are already doing so."

As to the Iraq war, the British foreign secretary repeated what he had already said: the UN Security Council adopted the 1441 resolution, which gave Iraq a clear set of tests. And America and Britain only found intimidation, concealment and deception on Iraq side.

So, the US and UK had to take military actions.

"If, in response to these games, we had failed to carry through the threat of 'serious consequences' promised in resolution 1441, the world's commitment to the principle of collective security would have amounted to words without action."

In the question and answer time after the speech, from the beginning questions raised were sharp and contrary to British minister's sayings.

A university staff said that the US and UK make an illegal invasion to Iraq, and they just unleashed the war to enrich themselves at the expense of the developing countries.

"You spoil our future," the teacher finally concluded his question. Then the hall was swamped by warm applause.

Straw replied that they had gotten information from the traitor of Saddam's regime that Iraq does have the mass destruction weapons, and that due to this "more and more" evidence that the resolution 1441 was unanimously passed.

The British foreign secretary arrived in South Africa on Tuesday for a two-day visit, and he would hold talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki Wednesday afternoon in Cape Town and will leave for London on Wednesday night.

Local diplomatic officials said Straw's good-will visit to Africa mainly was to repair the badly damaged images of the country in the continent and in world.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2003)