Security Council meeting 5855

The President

I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Argentina, Australia, Cuba, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in which they request to be invited to participate in the consideration of the item on the Council's agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the consideration without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure.

There being no objection, it is so decided.

The President

In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council's prior consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Mr. Mike Smith.

It is so decided.

I invite Mr. Smith to take a seat at the Council table.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations.

I wish to draw the attention of the members of the Council to document S/2008/80, which contains the text of a letter dated 7 February 2008 from the Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism, addressed to the President of the Security Council.

At this meeting, the Security Council will hear a briefing by the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Mr. Mike Smith. I now give him the floor.

Mr. Smith (Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate)

It is a great pleasure and an honour to have been invited to make this statement before the Security Council. It gives me the opportunity, early in my tenure as Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), to express my appreciation for the confidence and trust that you, the members of the Council, have shown in me, in approving my appointment to this position.

On 10 December 2007, the Council adopted resolution 1787 (2007), which extended the mandate of CTED until 31 March 2008 and which requested me, in consultation with Council members, to recommend changes to the organizational plan of the Executive Directorate. I duly carried out that review of the Directorate's organization and methods of work, consulting with all the members of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the wider United Nations membership, CTED staff, other relevant United Nations agencies and experts outside the system.

I presented a revised version of the organizational plan to the Committee on 24 January 2008, where it was subsequently endorsed and forwarded to the Security Council. It is now before the Council in document S/2008/80, dated 8 February 2008.

When the Council adopted resolution 1373 (2001) on 28 September 2001, following the heinous attack on the World Trade Center in this city two weeks earlier, it was underlining for the whole world the threat that terrorism poses to us all. It also set out in that resolution the measures that all countries needed to take to combat that threat, including criminalizing terrorist acts, denying terrorists safe haven and financial resources, preventing terrorists from crossing borders and increasing cooperation with each other in order to prevent terrorist attacks and bring perpetrators to justice. All of those elements of resolution 1373 (2001) remain critical to addressing that threat and that resolution remains as relevant today as it was six and a half years ago.

At the same time, it is worth noting that considerable progress has been made. Most countries in the world have now criminalized terrorism. We have seen hundreds of new ratifications of the key counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, and there has been an almost unprecedented level of international exchange of information and cooperation among relevant agencies across borders, with the purpose of disrupting planned terrorist attacks and enabling the arrest and prosecution of those engaged in terrorism.

Given those developments, the need today is less to ensure that countries understand the seriousness of the challenge and more to ensure that they have the capacity and the expertise to implement the counter-terrorism measures set out in resolution 1373 (2001). To put it another way, these days the Counter-Terrorism Committee tends to spend less time establishing whether countries have put in place appropriate legislation and counter-terrorism machinery, and more time evaluating how effective their border control arrangements, their counter-terrorism coordination machinery and their law enforcement capabilities are. In this process, we have become more aware of the capacity, resource and infrastructural constraints that are impeding full implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) in particular countries and regions.

The general progress made in the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) was part of the background for my review of CTED's organizational plan. At the same time, that review was very much informed by three specific priorities that were repeatedly raised with me in the course of my consultations with members of the Council and the wider United Nations membership. The first of these is the consistency of our judgements across various countries and regions -- something that is critical to the credibility of all our work. The second is facilitation of technical assistance. If we are to add real value to countries' counter-terrorism efforts, we need to be able to find solutions to the vulnerabilities that we identify. And the third is communication. There is clearly a need to explain, particularly to the wider United Nations membership, what we do and how we can help countries in their efforts to confront terrorism.

Let me say a little about the specific proposals in the revised organizational plan and how they address those concerns. The principal organizational change to CTED is the establishment, within the Assessment and Technical Assistance Office, of five cross-cutting functional groups in the areas of, respectively, technical assistance; terrorist financing; border control, arms trafficking and law enforcement; general legal issues; and issues raised by resolution 1624 (2005), as well as the human rights aspects of counter-terrorism. Those groups have been meeting regularly since their establishment and are already producing useful revisions of strategy, in the case of the technical assistance group, and revised criteria for harmonizing technical judgements about the implementation of particular elements of resolution 1373 (2001), in the case of the other groups.

Additionally, two smaller units have been created: one, a quality control unit to review documents before they leave the Executive Directorate and to ensure that they are consistent in style and format; and the other, a communications and outreach unit to develop more proactive communications strategies. Both of those units have been working actively over the past few weeks and are having a positive impact on the work of the Directorate.

As regards our methods of work, the revised organizational plan suggests several innovations. First, it proposes a more flexible approach to visits to countries, to allow for more focused visits tailored to the needs and situation of the country concerned. Secondly, it proposes a more comprehensive engagement with donors, the better to match their capabilities and programmes with the vulnerabilities identified in our dialogue with countries. Thirdly, it suggests that CTED become more actively involved in the work of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force -- a proposal that simply recognizes that implementing the requirements of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) implements, at the same time, most part of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Finally, it suggests greater effort to strengthen collaboration and cooperation with the experts of the Security Council Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1540 (2004). It also highlights the usefulness of strengthened relations with international, regional and subregional organizations.

I am confident that implementing those changes in the structure and work of CTED will improve the credibility and usefulness of our work in future.

Let me now mention two particularly significant pieces of work on which we are currently engaged. First, we are close to finalizing the 192 Preliminary Implementation Assessments -- or PIAs -- one for every Member of the United Nations. This is a new and innovative tool that will greatly enhance our dialogue with Member States on the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). Some 160 of these have already been adopted by the Committee and sent to the capitals of the States concerned.

Secondly, we are putting the finishing touches to a revision of "Survey of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001)" -- a document in which, I know, the Committee and this Council have taken considerable interest. That survey looks at how countries in all regions and subregions across the globe are proceeding in their counter-terrorism efforts generally, where they are encountering difficulties and what gaps and vulnerabilities remain to be addressed in particular regions. I am hopeful that members will find it a valuable diagnostic tool to inform consideration of what next steps should be taken to address the ongoing threat of global terrorism.

The appalling bombing of the United Nations offices in Algiers on 11 December 2007 serves as a sober reminder that, notwithstanding the positive efforts we have collectively made, terrorism continues to be a serious threat to us all, and it continues to evolve and to manifest itself in new and dangerous ways. Member States have to do more to address this threat, and we, the United Nations, have to do a better job to help them in that endeavour. It is my hope that, with the renewal of CTED's mandate and the implementation of the proposals set out in the revised organizational plan, the Directorate will be able to assist the Security Council, through the Counter-Terrorism Committee, to make an appropriate contribution to this collective global effort.

The President

I thank Mr. Smith for his briefing.

In accordance with the understanding reached among Council members, I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than five minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly requested to circulate the texts in writing and to deliver a condensed version when speaking in the Chamber.

Sir John Sawers (United Kingdom)

It is a particular pleasure to be the first member of the Council to give a very warm welcome to Mr. Smith in his new job. Those of us who have followed the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) have seen that, in the few months that he has been in that role, he has already given a real boost to the sense of direction and purpose of the Directorate. I believe that, with the combination of him in that role and Ambassador Jurica as Chairman of the Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee, there is a new vitality in our work on counter-terrorism.

We in the United Kingdom certainly believe that the United Nations and the Security Council have a very important role to play in the fight against terrorism. The threat of terrorism continues to face a significant number of United Nations Member States directly, day in and day out. The consequences of terrorism reach all of us. Increasingly and tragically, they seek to strike at the United Nations itself. I would like to place on record once again the United Kingdom's utter condemnation of the attack on the United Nations in Algiers last December and our deep condolences to the victims and their families.

We must succeed in our joint endeavour to stop the criminals and murderers from perpetrating terrorist acts. The terrorist threat is complex and requires a multidimensional response. It will require work across the United Nations system, underpinned by genuine coordination. I believe that Mr. Smith's report helped to bring all of that out. We have to focus on interventions that make a visible difference. We will know that we have succeeded when we see an improvement in Member States' preparedness to tackle terrorism. Some of that will come from capacity-building; we must make sure that it leads to a genuine increase in countries' capabilities. That includes a wide range of challenges, from investigation and disruption of terrorist networks to blocking terrorist financing; from border security to protecting transports and other critical infrastructure.

It is against that backdrop that the appointment of Mr. Smith and his briefing of this Council is so welcome. We particularly welcome the focus he put on three things: first, looking internally at CTED processes to improve their consistency and to get the most out of the range of expertise in the Directorate; secondly, looking outside CTED to consult widely on its role and how it can best work with all Member States, including through international and regional organizations; and, thirdly, considering new priorities in the work of CTED.

I think the briefing that Mr. Smith has just given us has amply demonstrated the focus that he has brought on all three of these issues, and I warmly endorse the recommendations he has put forward.

In the areas of renewed emphasis for CTED, we welcome, in particular, the focus on increased work with donors, for which we stand ready to do our part. We welcome the commitment to increase cooperation with other parts of the United Nations. This should include strengthening work with the 1267 (1999) monitoring team and the 1540 (2004) Committee experts, for which this Council has called for some time. Equally important, we welcome their commitment to play their full part in the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force.

The continued commitment to take forward work on incitement to terrorism and dealing with that problem within the context of resolution 1624 (2005) is also particularly important. In view of the threat we see emerging today, attacking radicalization and recruitment is essential, especially by challenging the ideology of violent extremism and helping to support vulnerable communities.

We look forward to the report of the Counter-Terrorism Committee on the implementation of the counter-terrorism obligations by States under resolution 1373 (2001) to which Mr. Smith referred. We attach importance to having a global picture of achievements and gaps in order for the Council to be able to guide the priorities of the Committee in the year ahead. We think that such an analysis will be important at the start of each year.

I would like to close by saying that under the able leadership of Ambassador Jurica and Mr. Smith at CTED, this is a promising time for the work of the Council on counter-terrorism issues. The United Kingdom would welcome sustained Council involvement in counter-terrorism, and we stand ready to do our part.

Mr. Kafando (Burkina Faso)

Our present debate within the framework of the renewal of the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) of the Security Council. It provides my delegation with the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Mike Smith, not only on his briefing, but also on his assumption of the post of Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, something we have not yet had an opportunity to do. Aware of the heavy burden of responsibility and the complexity of the task facing him, we would like to assure him of our full support.

It is with great interest that we have followed the intensive consultations he has engaged in, consultations which have allowed him to elaborate and submit to the Committee a new organizational plan of work for CTED, in conformity with paragraph 2 of resolution 1787 (2007).

My delegation is satisfied that, in the new proposals of the Executive Director, the issue of appropriate technical assistance tailored to the needs of the recipient countries was considered a priority. The fight against terrorism is our joint responsibility, and only international solidarity and cooperation will enable us to deal with this scourge effectively.

We also believe that visits to Member States should be better organized, more flexible and less burdensome. This would allow us to engage in exhaustive exchanges while focusing on the main concerns of States visited. These types of visits should be given priority over the systematic approach of comprehensive assessments.

This is an opportunity to mention that CTED and its Executive Director should interact more closely with all Member States of the United Nations. This is all the more important as only collective, concerted efforts will enable us to eradicate the threat posed by terrorism. A number of proposals have been presented, and we especially endorse the concept of "public briefings" by CTED.

The need for greater coordination in our efforts to fight terrorism is an ongoing concern of the United Nations and the international community as a whole. Therefore, while we encourage initiatives that foster the exchange of information and cooperation among the three Security Council committees, namely, 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004), we remain convinced that, in this field, which is of interest to all, the actions of the Council -- which we would like to be more transparent -- should be united with those of the General Assembly in order to involve all the Member States of this Organization.

The United Nations cannot continue to ask Member States to engage in concerted action against terrorism while it itself engages in disparate actions. This is all the more so as the various Security Council resolutions in this field, as well as those of the General Assembly, are addressed to all Member States of the Organization without any exceptions.

The United Nations should also cooperate closely with regional and subregional organizations, which have, quite clearly, a better understanding of the regional and subregional factors and influences that need to be taken into account if we wish to fight terrorism more effectively.

Finally, my delegation of course endorses the renewal of the mandate of CTED, with the certainty that the resolution to be adopted will take into account all concerns, especially respect for human rights.

Mr. Ripert (France)

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