Secretary-General's comments to the press before meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush

SG: Thank you very much Mr. President. If I may comment on the last point you raised, I share your view entirely that every region and people of every faith have also been victims of terrorists. This is a scourge that affects all of us regardless of region or religion and we need to stand together to defeat terrorism.

And this is where the work of the United Nations and the effective implementation of its resolution 1373 is absolutely crucial. We need to work to deprive the terrorists of their opportunities by not giving them havens, by not giving them financial and logistical support, and I think the Counter Terrorism Committee of the Security Council is doing a good job in trying to make sure we all work together on it.

With regard to the Iraq issue, I want to thank you, Mr. President, for working with the United Nations and the [Security] Council and working through the Council.

I remember when you came to the UN on the 12th of September –nobody knew which way you were going to go - and in my own speech before yours I was pleading that we go the multilateral route, and I think we were all relieved that you did. And I would want to say that the Council decision, which was unanimous, sent a powerful message that the entire international community would like to see the Security Council resolutions implemented.

Today I received a letter from the Iraqi government, accepting the resolution and that they would work with the resolution. And Mr. Blix and his team will go back. We expect them to get there on the 18th, and actively begin their work. It's a Chapter VII resolution, and it must be heeded.