General Assembly Session 56 meeting 18

Mr. Effah-Apenteng (Ghana)

We welcome this opportunity to speak on the issue of international terrorism, in the light of recent developments in our host country.

The brazen, despicable acts perpetrated against the people of New York and Washington on 11 September 2001 have once again brought close to the very doorstep of this Organization the devastating impact of such ill-conceived and misguided actions. The lingering effects of such diabolical acts have wounded our collective psyche. The terrorist attacks, even though directed against the territory of the United States, constitute an act against the noble values of freedom and the rule of law. Humanity as a whole must respond to it in unity.

The eleventh of September 2001 will forever stand in the collective memory of humanity as a day of infamy.

At this moment of sorrow and grief, as the people of New York and Washington count the toll of innocent lives lost, we commiserate with them and share in their pain and sorrow. Ghana also lost some nationals in the attacks. We are indeed impressed by the overwhelming sense of strength, unity, fellowship and generosity that the attacks have generated.

The face of terrorism is one bloodied by its evil intention. Increasingly, the objectives of today's terrorists are suicidal, and, apparently, they have no demands to negotiate. We therefore need to move from a culture of reaction to one of prevention. More importantly, there is the need to identify, understand and address the underlying factors that permit such hatred, however misguided, to grow and fester. It would be ironic if, in this Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, the recent terrorist acts were misconstrued as a clash of civilizations.

The unfolding globalized economy has in its wake created opportunities, albeit temporary, for terrorist organizations to globalize their operations and execute their diabolical plans with speed and deadly accuracy, sometimes across several countries. No State is today immune to the brutal wrath of terrorism, even if the levels of vulnerability vary. We must therefore address the problem globally.

The fight against terrorism is beyond the scope and capacity of any single State and requires genuine cooperation on the part of all, at the national, regional and global levels. This recognition has already been affirmed by our heads of State and Government. At the United Nations Millennium Summit last year, they decided

"To take concerted action against international terrorism, and to accede as soon as possible to all the relevant international conventions." (resolution 55/2, Millennium Declaration, para. 9).

Currently, there are 12 key global conventions and other regional instruments on terrorism. Hopefully, the ongoing work on a draft comprehensive convention on terrorism will soon be completed, and it should further enhance the legal regime within which international cooperation for the fight against terrorism can take place.

The report (A/56/326) of the Secretary-General entitled, "Road map towards the implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration" sets out very fine strategies for moving forward the resolve of the Heads of State and Government. The Secretary-General notes that States would be encouraged to sign, ratify and implement the conventions and protocols relating to terrorism and be assisted in developing and adopting corresponding laws and administrative procedures at the national level. We appeal to all Member States to quickly sign, ratify and implement these conventions. Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), recently adopted, has reinforced the international legal regime against terrorism.

On our part, we emphasize the need for States to clearly and unambiguously identify and constantly keep open established channels of communication for the regular and speedy exchange of relevant information on terrorist activities, in such a way as to help foil their diabolical plans and decimate the life support systems that keep them operational.

We must genuinely cooperate and take concerted action to track and freeze financial and other assets that make it possible for terrorist organizations to exist. We must strengthen national investigative and enforcement institutions, and, as appropriate, extradite or vigorously prosecute all cases of terrorism that come within our respective jurisdictions. But we must also redeem, through dialogue and assistance, all turf adopted by terrorist organizations as bases for festering their evil machinations.

We must do all the above things and more, and speedily, too. The fight against terrorism will be long and arduous, and there may not be visible victors. But the peace and stability that will prevail will be a victory for all mankind. Ghana also looks forward to participating, at an appropriate future date, in the proposed high-level conference, under the auspices of the United Nations, to formulate the international community's joint organized response to terrorism. We believe that such a conference, which enjoys the high political will of non-aligned member countries, will be useful and should carefully choose its priorities and agenda.

We recognize as criminal those acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror among the general public, who are innocent people. My delegation calls for an early definition of the concept of terrorism, in ways that leave little ambiguity as to what it is and galvanize broad international support in the fight against terrorism, however defined.

It is our duty to bequeath to our children and future generations a stable and prosperous world, but we cannot attain this objective unless we, individually and collectively, solemnly rededicate our commitment to the Charter's principle of maintaining international peace and security. Terrorism is indeed a threat to this cherished principle, and all States are beholden to ensure its complete eradication.

Mr. Stanczyk (Poland)

Let me begin by expressing the heartfelt condolences of my Government to the people and Government of the United States, and especially to the families of the victims of the barbaric attack of 11 September.

Poland fully associates itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union by the representative of Belgium.

The terrorist attacks that befell our host city and country have left us all in deep shock and disbelief. The unparalleled magnitude and barbarity of the attacks and the loss of human life they entailed have demonstrated the destructive potential of terrorism and those who stand by it. They have also shown that those intent on bringing death and destruction do not feel bound by the moral norms and values shared among civilized nations. Their capability to create havoc is limited solely by their technical capacity and not by any considerations of a moral or humanitarian nature.

There is no doubt that acts of terrorism constitute a most serious violation of the principles of the United Nations and are aimed directly against the ideals which this Organization upholds. Moreover, they constitute a significant threat to international peace and security. The recent tragic events have once again confirmed that international terrorism is a global phenomenon. It knows no boundaries, and its effects are not limited to any particular country or region. Being a global challenge, it demands a global response. And a global response requires, in turn, global cooperation.

The role that the United Nations, as the only Organization with universal participation and competence, should assume in this respect is pivotal in the struggle against this scourge of our times. The message that emanates from this forum should be unambiguous: there will be no tolerance for acts of terrorism in this world and no safe havens for the perpetrators and organizers of such atrocious acts.

Nothing can justify the loss of innocent human lives. We fully share the view of the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, that the United Nations is uniquely positioned to develop a broad anti-terrorist coalition. What is now required is development of a long-term strategy that would address all aspects of this phenomenon. An important step in the development of such a strategy has already been taken by the Security Council, when it adopted on 28 September resolution 1373 (2001), in which it called upon States to take concrete action and cooperate to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks. The establishment of a Committee to monitor the implementation of this resolution should significantly enhance its practical impact on the way in which States coordinate their efforts to combat terrorism.

International legal instruments play an important role in the fight against terrorism. We welcome the progress that has been made in this respect in the last few years. The adoption of international conventions for the suppression of terrorist bombings and for the suppression of the financing of terrorism has filled important gaps in the existing legal infrastructure in this field. It is incumbent upon us to work relentlessly towards further progress in this respect. One cannot overestimate the significance of an international convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism. We sincerely hope that the remaining differences that stand in the way of the conclusion of such a document will soon be resolved. It is also important that work on the draft of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism continue in a constructive spirit. Such a convention should, in particular, contain effective provisions in the field of inter-State cooperation. Taking into account similarities in methods employed by terrorist organizations and criminal organizations, and possible interrelationships between them, it should also draw upon the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Moreover, this Assembly should launch an urgent appeal for the universalization of all major international conventions against terrorism.

The idea of creating a monitoring mechanism to facilitate the implementation of the existing conventions deserves our full support. Such a mechanism could play an important role in ensuring that the conventions are implemented uniformly and that their provisions are respected. We should also make a comprehensive overview of the existing conventions so as to evaluate their effectiveness and possibly identify areas that would require further regulation.

The importance of regional and bilateral cooperation should also be stressed, and steps should be taken to facilitate such cooperation, even in the absence of a legally binding agreement between the States concerned. This is particularly important in the areas of information exchange and cutting terrorists off from their sources of financing.

Poland attaches great importance to the international standards set in this respect, being a party to a vast majority of international conventions that regulate this subject. Moreover, our domestic legislation contains specific provisions aimed at effectively repressing, as well as preventing, terrorist acts. We will continue our work in adhering to the instruments to which we are not yet a party. Today Poland will sign the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, which will be another step in this direction.

Mr. Naidu (Fiji)

Terrorism has fast become an intellectual concept and the subject of academic deliberations in the United Nations in recent years. Numerous international, regional and bilateral treaties, conventions and declarations to suppress and prevent terrorism have been concluded. Mostly, however, these instruments address narrow sectoral interests and so have limited scope. Good progress has been made this past year by the Ad Hoc Committee established by General Assembly resolution 51/210 and the Sixth Committee working group on terrorism to elaborate a comprehensive international convention, based on a draft proposed by India. The exact status of this convention and of the definition of terrorism are not settled and will continue to stifle the elaboration process.

Sadly, conventions and treaties have failed to deter terrorists from their path of destruction. We all saw the world shaken by the mindless terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., and the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives.

Since this debate commenced, we have all clearly agreed that the nationality, ethnicity, creed, religion or motives of the attackers are irrelevant. We thus applaud the Secretary-General's call for a broad coalition of States to maintain vigilance, cooperate on extraterritorial legal processes, share technical expertise and best-practice models and act as a forum in which to continue discussions on terrorism. This is all the more important as terrorism seems to be taking on a geopolitical face to challenge the evolving international order, thereby shaping political scenarios.

Let us not languish in fear of further reprisals or violent reactions. This is our opportunity to seize the new culture of conflict prevention, driven by the Secretary-General, as a critical platform for Member States to chart our destiny on a course bringing us much closer to international peace and security in the new millennium. We agree that in so doing the role of his office in peace-brokering inevitably expands and that Member States entrust him with this delicate task. That is an avenue that Fiji supports.

The culture of reaction continues the spiral of intensifying conflict and makes peace elusive. This spiral is reaching previously unknown dimensions and extending violations of international humanitarian, human rights and conflict law to new limits.

The United Nations must now capitalize on the groundswell of international solidarity emanating from the recent crisis to strengthen dialogue against international terrorism, as we all have in some way been touched by its many forms and manifestations.

Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) identifies these various forms, which often and inadvertently place Member States in positions of compromise with terrorists.

Invariably, Member States engage in illicit drug-trafficking, sponsor organized transnational crimes, launder proceeds of crime or terrorism or are crippled by encroaching pressures of international terrorism under the pretext of legitimate economic activities. Others actively nurture these elements in foreign jurisdictions for political gains. Some States thrive on internal terrorism, lending legitimacy to the politicization of violence, which itself is anathema to a culture of peace, stability and human rights. Fiji is a victim of terrorism impacting on our body politic and undermining our nation-building in the last two decades. Not surprisingly, terrorism has defied attempts at its definition.

Resolution 1373 (2001) is binding on each Member State, pursuant to Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. Notwithstanding its lack of a definition of terrorism or terrorist acts, the resolution obligates us to take measures individually to advance our collective fight against terrorism. Some of its seemingly far-reaching effects still need to take human rights standards into account. Advancing our global vigilance for basic human rights promotes peace and, inversely, defies terrorism.

We agree with the Secretary-General that the moral definition of terrorism is clear to all; likewise, its legal definition, if properly guided by ethics and logic, should serve as leverage for, rather than impede, our elaboration. Political expediency or neutrality has no place in this equation.

Terrorism wages war against civilian people, who often are defenceless and unprepared but are specifically protected by law, as in the case of Geneva Conventions. That 75 per cent of the casualties of conflicts are civilians is a sombre signal to the international community of the blatant disregard of accepted norms; this is accentuated by ruthless terrorist attacks, with their tolls reaching unprecedented levels.

No brand of terrorism is ever acceptable. Our fight must be holistic and all-encompassing. We need to augment the piecemeal, sectoral and narrow-focused goals of the past to yield lasting political, legal and ideological solutions. We are on the right paths to this goal. Each sectoral convention can be instrumental in fighting terrorism if we act now to adopt a treaty comprehensive enough to activate every wheel or cog in this machinery, which we are making stronger every year. States parties need to implement their treaty obligations too.

In the near future, Fiji hopes to include among the instruments it has ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings of 1997 and the International Convention for the suppression of the Financing of Terrorism of 1999. Fiji has pursued domestic, regional and international measures. We are also strengthening security arrangements at all entry points to guard against international terrorism and illicit drug-trafficking.

Much more is demanded of Member States to counter terrorism's growing sophistication and invasive spread. Its ready access to the impressionable minds of vulnerable people is a valuable lesson to us all. These tendencies find fertile ground in political instability, oppression, poverty and economic marginalization, and are often blended with ideological fervour.

We are convinced that a critical first step in the fight against terrorism is to promote freedom, democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights. This would remove opportunities for intolerance and extremism, two hotbeds of terrorist tendencies.

We draw great strength from your leadership on this item, and from the honour bestowed on us all in this Assembly by the moving opening statement by Mayor Giuliani and the Secretary-General's sober account of our requisite duties and obligations.

New York City and, indeed, the United States of America teach us that differences and diversity lead to celebration, and prejudices do not; and that our differences strengthen us, but our prejudices weaken us. These bold yet simple words can guide our steps in tackling this increasingly complex menace, whose ravages we all witnessed three weeks ago.

Let me close with His Excellency the President of Fiji's remembrance of this tragedy in his opening address to the newly convened Parliament on Monday.

"International terrorism is a threat ... to individual countries and ... to the peace and security of the whole world. Fiji ... must lend its full support to international endeavours to combat this scourge on humanity."

Mr. Tomka (Slovakia)

My country has aligned itself with the statement made by the delegate of Belgium, last Monday morning, on behalf of the European Union and the associated countries. The importance of the topic under consideration nevertheless warrants that some additional national points be made.

The terrorist acts committed on 11 September 2001 in the United States are crimes against humanity and an assault on the whole of mankind. The loss of thousands of innocent civilians -- nationals of so many countries -- is evidence that anyone of us can be, at any time, victim of blood-thirsty individuals or groups.

My country welcomes and fully supports resolution 1373 (2001) of the Security Council adopted last Friday. What is now required are efficient steps and speedy action that can prevent horrible terrorist attacks in new forms and intensity, including nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism. I wish to confirm that the Slovak Republic is determined and ready to cooperate with all peace-loving countries, under the leadership of the Security Council, in all efforts to eradicate international terrorism.

Slovakia has played an active role in the preparation of international instruments aimed at coping with the threat of terrorist attacks. The Slovak Republic is a party to 11 of the 12 international anti-terrorist conventions, as well as a party to three regional instruments on this subject. Recently, on 8 December 2000, Slovakia ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf. Furthermore, on 26 January 2001, Slovakia signed the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Significant steps towards its ratification have been taken and the Slovak Republic will, hopefully, ratify this Convention early next year. All obligations arising from the existing anti-terrorist conventions are fully implemented in the country's domestic legislation.

Let me join all those delegates who have during our debate called upon all States to ratify and fully implement without delay all anti-terrorist conventions. Let me add our voice in support of a speedy conclusion of the work on the comprehensive convention on international terrorism and the convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism.

Since we cannot exclude that the terrorists may have access to weapons of mass destruction, let me add that we are of the view that all international conventions banning weapons of mass destruction should be supplemented by a strict regime of verification.

This century should be one of a resolute fight against terrorists. In fact, they are hoste humani generis, enemies of all humanity, and as such should be viewed as outlaws. Their acts should be treated as offences against the law of nations, and every State can and should bring them to justice.

All the new measures to be taken in order to combat international terrorism should allow for law enforcement organs, criminal justice institutions and intelligence and security services to effectively deal with the most dangerous crimes of these days. We are fully aware that one country alone cannot adequately respond to terrorist attacks. The international community, all States and all nations must join together in the fight against this threat. States must foresee possible targets of terrorists, and, in order to be one step ahead of them, they must enhance cooperation and the exchange of relevant information.

Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and the establishment of the Committee for the monitoring of the implementation of the resolution provide a very solid basis for decisive and united action against terrorism. When needed, we should not hesitate to use the international legal framework for such a struggle against a common enemy. Recent events have proved that major developments in law are always the result of a crisis.

Mr. Mamba (Swaziland)

I am pleased to extend to you, Sir, my delegation's congratulations on your well earned and well deserved election to the presidency of this session of the General Assembly. We have no doubt that your able leadership will steer this session to a successful conclusion.

International terrorism is a global menace of our age. Its emergence is a major challenge facing the international community. Indeed, the phenomenon is one of the major threats in this millennium to international peace and security.

In the wake of the tragic events of 11 September, the international community is still reeling in shock over the heartless and malicious manner in which those terrifying acts, which resulted in tremendous loss of lives and destruction of property, were committed. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. The Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland has, for its part, expressed its solidarity with the United States in condemning the recent assault on its territory. My delegation remains optimistic that the rule of law will eventually prevail and that the perpetrators of those atrocities will be brought to justice.

The Kingdom of Swaziland shares the concerns of the international community over the alarming increase in acts of terrorism. Acts of terrorism, by their nature and links to trafficking in narcotics and small arms and to organized crime, destabilize social and political institutions and put economic development in jeopardy. For the reason that it respects no borders, there is clearly a need for effective international cooperation to eradicate this menace, which has emerged as the most compelling crime the world must contend with.

The Millennium Declaration, which was adopted by our heads of State and Government on 8 September 2000, gives us a firm basis to act swiftly. On that occasion our leaders resolved at the highest level to take concerted action against international terrorism and to accede as soon as possible to all relevant international conventions. This they did in recognition of the need for a global response to terrorism.

In that regard, we applaud the achievements of the Ad Hoc Committee established by General Assembly resolution 51/210, of 1996, which have led to a substantial codification of international law on terrorism. The legal instruments it has concluded undoubtedly constitute an effective accomplishment in the sphere of international cooperation against international terrorism. In our view, they form part of an appropriate response to increase the effectiveness of international cooperation for the eradication of terrorism and thus to end the impunity terrorists have enjoyed for so long.

We also hope that with the elaboration of a comprehensive international convention against terrorism -- thanks to a draft proposal by the Government of India -- a truly integrated and holistic approach to international terrorism will be in place, and that it will ensure more added value to the current sectoral legal instruments already in force.

I must hasten to point out here that, without prejudice to the right of States to defend themselves, there is a need to strengthen and enhance the role of our Organization as an indispensable instrument for maintaining international peace and security, and for mobilizing the people of the world against new, unprecedented threats. And, as stated by the Secretary-General in presenting his report on the work of the Organization, it is only the United Nations that

"can give global legitimacy to the long-term struggle against terrorism." (A/56/PV.7)

A week later he told the Assembly:

"Terrorism will be defeated if the international community [unites] in a broad coalition, or it will not be defeated at all." (A/56/PV.12)

There is much that we can do to help prevent future atrocities. In that spirit, we welcome Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), which lays down the blueprint Member States must adhere to if we are to succeed in our collective endeavour to fight terrorism.

There could be no better opportunity than now to address the question of convening a high-level conference under the auspices of the United Nations to formulate a joint organized response by the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In that regard, we reiterate the call by the twelfth summit of the Non-Aligned Movement -- held in Durban, South Africa, in 1998 -- for the convening of such a conference, which would serve to facilitate consensus among States on measures to combat terrorism, as well as to encourage a climate of confidence and cooperation. We are confident that, with the collective wisdom of all its members, the United Nations will achieve its goals and will prevail.