World briefs 11/25/02

Holy See to explore increased U.N. presence

VATICAN CITY -- The Holy See will explore stepping up its presence at the United Nations and does not rule out a bid for membership, according to media reports Sunday.

The Vatican, a city-state, is a permanent observer at the United Nations, a status that lets it participate in U.N. conferences and deliver speeches in the General Assembly but gives it no voting power.

In an interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican's No. 2 official, was asked if the United Nations was up to its peace tasks.

"It must be up to the task and every one must do their part to help it assume an ever-more active and efficient role on the world scene," replied Sodano, the Vatican's secretary of state.

He added, "The Holy See intends to study the possible forms of its own stepped-up presence in that connection."

Asked if that meant the Vatican might become a U.N. member, Sodano was quoted as replying: "If that were useful, I wouldn't rule it out."

Asian parties want U.N. to lead fight against terror

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Political parties from 25 Asian nations said Sunday that the United Nations must take the lead in the war on terrorism, saying Washington should not act alone.

The issue was one of several discussed in the three-day International Conference of Asian Political Parties.

"We all support a multilateral approach to resolving the issue of terrorism," Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said.

He ignored a question about a possible U.S. attack on Iraq, saying instead that the fight against terror should be carried out "under the framework of the United Nations."

Reform leaders may quit unless hard-liners relent

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's top reform leaders threatened Sunday to walk out of government if hard-liners continue thwarting President Mohammad Khatami's political and social reforms.

"We would not hesitate for a moment to quit the establishment if we lose all hope of carrying out the demands for which people voted," said Mohammad Reza Khatami, leader of Iran's largest reformist party, the Islamic Iran Participation Front.

Khatami, the president's younger brother and parliament's vice speaker, said continued judiciary blocking of freedom of expression will either "lead to total chaos or a black dictatorship in Iran."

"Illogical judiciary actions have harmed Iran's image and dashed hopes at home for reforms. But public protests against them have revived some hopes of withstanding pressure and pushing for reforms ...," Khatami said.

-- From wire reports