Annan's Appeal Over Iraq Sparks U.S. Ire

GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. chief Kofi Annan urged U.S.-led forces in Iraq on Thursday to live up to their responsibility for civilians and public order under the Geneva Conventions, drawing an angry response from the United States.

Addressing the annual session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Annan said that with the war over, he hoped a "new era of human rights in Iraq will now begin."

It was up to U.S.-led troops to set an example by "demonstrating through their actions that they accept the responsibilities of the occupying power for public order and safety, and the well-being of the civilian population," he said.

Annan, who has made similar appeals in the past, said these responsibilities were clearly set out in the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Regulations on the rules of warfare.

But Washington's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Kevin E. Moley, took issue with the remarks, saying the United States had gone out of its way from "from day one" to meet all its obligations.

"Quite frankly, we find it odd at best that the secretary-general would feel that he had to bring this to our attention," Moley told journalists.

Iraqi cities suffered widespread looting after U.S.-led forces toppled the government of former president Saddam Hussein two weeks ago.

Humanitarian organizations called for U.S. troops to restore order so that aid could reach needy civilians. The United States says the worst of the lawlessness is now over.

After his speech, Annan left for New York cutting short a European trip because of what his office called "current developments" in Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere.