Humanitarian groups hurt by "axis of evil" talk: UN refugee chief

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2004

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Humanitarian groups like the UN refugee agency have been hurt by President George W. Bush's 'axis of evil' statement that divides the world into good and bad, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers said.

The UNHCR and groups like the International Committee of the Red Cross "have been badly damaged by the demonization of others," said Lubbers, currently on a four-day visit to the United States.

"We've been damaged by the 'axis of evil' -- this Manichean vision of the world as split between the 'good' and the 'evil,' he said.

Iran, North Korea and Iraq -- under Saddam Hussein when Bush uttered the phrase in 2002 -- made the "axis of evil."

"Unfortunately, like others we are paying a price for this, for now we have also come...