UNITED NATIONS, Oct 9: A warning by the United States that its war on terrorism might extend beyond the borders of Afghanistan has disturbed some members of the United Nations, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday.

In a letter to the UN Security Council on Monday, the United States said: “We may find that our self-defence requires further actions with respect to other organizations and other states.”

Speaking to reporters as he left a meeting with council members, Annan said “that one sentence has caused some anxiety among the membership,” and added that he, too, had asked questions about it.

“The US has indicated that this is not a predictor of any intentions that it intends to take, but basically a statement that they are at early stages and keeping their options open,” Annan said.

“But that is one line that disturbed some of us,” he added.

The letter was sent on Monday by the US ambassador to the UN, John Negroponte, to his Irish counterpart, Richard Ryan, this month’s Security Council president.

Ryan told reporters later the council’s unanimity was “absolutely maintained” with regard to the US attacks on Afghanistan.

The French ambassador, Jean-David Levitte, echoed Ryan’s remarks, noting the continued “extraordinary unity” of the council.—AFP