MADRID, Spain Mar 10, 2005 — U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed creation of a treaty outlawing terrorism Thursday, denouncing attacks that target civilians and arguing that no political grievance justifies killing the innocent.Speaking at a world terrorism conference, Annan said military reprisals cannot always be ruled out. But prevention, such as addressing the causes of extremist violence, is the best counterterrorism strategy, he said, adding: "human rights and the rule of law must always be respected."
"We cannot compromise on the core values," the secretary-general said in remarks to terrorism experts and world leaders from 50 countries, including Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.