RAWALPINDI, March 19: The US president, George W. Bush, was wrong in attacking Iraq without the approval of the United Nations. This was stated by Bertil Galland, a Swiss author and journalist , while talking to reporters after a function held at the Fatima Jinnah Women University.

Mr Galland said the government of Switzerland did not support President Bush in his Iraq adventure. The Swiss government is neutral, he added. Answering a question about Pakistan's support to the US war on terror, he said President Pervez Musharraf had a very clear stand on the issue of terrorism. "I am convinced of his good faith in making this decision," he added.

He said it was a difficult decision because of the large- scale opposition that President Musharraf faced as a result of his continuing support to the US-led war on terror.

Replying to another question about possibility of friction between the European Union and the US, the Swiss writer said both the parties had mutual interests in some issues.

Earlier, Mr Galland participated in a conference on French literature, organized jointly by the Embassy of Switzerland and Fatima Jinnah Women University.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, he dilated on French literature in Switzerland, from Rousseau to Bouvier. He highlighted the various stages through which the French literature evolved in his country.

Mr Galland also spoke about specific characteristics of the Swiss writers, comparing them with the authors of other parts of the world. The chief guest also discussed multilingualism in multi- cultural society of Switzerland. The FJWU vice-chancellor, Dr Najma Najam, praised Mr Galland for what she described as his articulate style and grasp over French literature.