03 October 2001

Countries Continue Terrorism Debate at United Nations

Countries from every corner of the globe are participating in the United Nations General Assembly's week-long debate on international terrorism, with officials strongly condemning the September 11 attacks against the United States and pledging to work together to eradicate terrorism.

More than 150 nations have signed up to participate in the session, which is scheduled to continue until October 5.

The texts of delegation statements are available on the U.N. web site at: http://www.un.org/terrorism/list011001.html

Following are excerpts from statements made during the first three days of debate:

Kamalesh Sharma, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations:

"The fact that terrorism is an international problem and can only be tackled collectively is something that countries who have suffered most from it know in their bones and have urged upon the rest of the world. The welcome transformation that has come about after September 11 is the sudden emergence of an international solidarity to meet an international threat. The United States, far and away the most powerful state in the international community, nevertheless believes that it needs and must have the assistance of a coalition of states in order to successfully mount an offensive against the terrorists who attacked it. If the U.S. needs this, how much more do others, infinitely more weak and vulnerable, need the same solidarity? Without it, countries that have been preyed upon by a global network of terrorism simply cannot cope with the challenge alone.

"We therefore hope that the solidarity which has been manifest over the last two weeks will continue, and that it will not be confined to a hunt for an individual or a group, or to dealing with the symptoms alone; we must destroy terrorism as a system. Terrorism is an organic whole; it would be dangerous to try to cut one of the cells out, and to tell ourselves that we had killed it off. It is an evil that metastasises. Terrorism must be destroyed root and branch. It is the anathema of the new century."

Wang Yingfan, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations:

"The fight against international terrorism, which will be a protracted as well as complicated task, should be guided by the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations and other well-established norms of international law. An integrated approach involving political, diplomatic, economic, legal and other means should be adopted in this regard. We are strongly against linking terrorism to a certain religion or ethnicity. In order to eliminate international terrorism, efforts must be made to address both the symptom and its underlying causes. In the international fight against terrorism, the diversity of civilization should be respected and the issue of development be addressed vigorously so as to enable people of all levels in all countries to benefit from globalization. The international community should strengthen its efforts to solve regional conflicts in a more positive manner and seek just and reasonable solutions on the basis of the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter."

Oswaldo de Rivero, Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations:

"Although globalization has brought many undeniable benefits and advantages, it has also expanded [on] a worldwide scale the problems that once affected certain countries or regions in isolation. It is obvious that the phenomenon of terrorism has followed this route. Currently, no country is immune to the devastating scope of this ulcer. It is necessary to reaffirm that terrorism is the principal violator of human rights. Its bloodthirsty practice, its indiscriminate victims and the fact that it despises human life confirm it. Any ulterior goal that is sought by a terrorist act is irredeemably de-legitimized by the inhuman nature of its methods.

" ... The states need each other, possibly more than ever, in this struggle [against terrorism]. We are witnesses of the unsuspected dimension of the networks for the preparation, supplying, financing and refuge of terrorism. In this scenario, international cooperation in intelligence, police [work], judicial exercise and regulation of financial transfers, among other [measures], becomes simply indispensable. As [U.N.] Secretary General Kofi Annan recently mentioned, the only route to face up to this common enemy is by cooperation and partnership between all the social forces: the state, the private sector, the academic sector and civil society in all its forms."

Jagdish Koonjul, Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations:

"The terrorist acts carried out on that fateful day in New York and Washington remind us of the vulnerability of all countries regardless of their state of preparedness. No country is immune from this kind of attack. It is a reminder that terrorists can, at the most unexpected moment, hit at the very heart of a free and peaceful society causing tremendous human and material damage.

"In the modern world of freedom, democracy and tolerance, it is simply unimaginable that some people choose to have recourse to such evil methods to express any form of anger and frustration... In fact, there is no justification whatsoever for terrorism and no concession can be made to those who commit terrorist acts. Terrorism is simply evil and inhuman, and flouts the principles and objectives of U.N. Charter. As such, it is an ever-present threat to international peace and security. This is why it is important for the international community and all people who believe in freedom, justice, peace, tolerance and democratic values to take a determined resolve to combat and eradicate this scourge."

Gelson Fonseca, Jr., Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations:

"The fight against terrorism will necessarily be a difficult, drawn-out battle that goes beyond the repression and prosecution of perpetrators. ... Repressive actions to crack down [on] terrorist cells are certainly necessary. In many instances, they are the only effective means immediately available to restore security and remove the imminent threat of terrorist strikes.

" ... Terrorism will certainly fail -- and reason will undoubtedly prevail -- if we ensure that the foundations of international stability are based on tolerance, justice, and the pursuit of prosperity and peace for all. As President Fernando Henrique Cardoso recently put it: we must ensure that globalization does not become a synonym for extreme inequalities, bur rather a means to ensure greater participation for all."

Luis da Fonseca, Permanent Representative of Cape Verde to the United Nations:

"There can be no doubt, the authors and accomplices of these crimes must be brought to justice and all states should cooperate to this end. However, caution should be used to ensure that no more innocent people be added to the already too-long list of victims of those crimes and serve as further excuse for committing new acts of terror.

"Many delegations have indicated that besides prosecuting and punishing the perpetrators of terrorist acts, it is necessary to deprive them from their breeding grounds.

"A successful campaign to eradicate terrorism has to address the long-term challenges that were so eloquently enumerated in the Millennium Declaration. As long as political, economic and social injustices are allowed to prevail there will always be people trying to exploit them for their narrow political agendas or criminal purposes. As long as the international community lacks the capacity to put an end to conflicts and address their real causes, there will be no shortage of recruits for all sorts of desperate acts."

Srgjan Kerim, Permanent Representative of Macedonia to the United Nations:

"All nations are rightfully preoccupied with issues related to the aftermath of September 11th, but we must also be reminded of the need to address the conditions that gave rise to the growth of such hatred and depravity. In other words, the United Nations must continue its work and concentrate its efforts toward the obligations and commitments contained in the Millennium Declaration. This is exactly why the postponed general debate of the 56th General Assembly is now paramount.

"The conclusions to be drawn from the recent terrorist attacks on the U.S. must be clear. Globalization and interdependence are bringing enormous benefits to all of us, but they are also creating new strategic risks; the vulnerability of globally-integrated information and communication structures, the diffusion of potentially dangerous technologies, or the combination of fundamentalism, and political irresponsibility and access to weapons of mass destruction. These are global challenges and, therefore, can only be managed jointly, particularly in regard to fighting international terrorism. No sate can guarantee security, peace and stability by itself."

Pierre Schori, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations:

"Only through determined and united action can the international community come to grips with the evil forces of terrorism. Terrorists aim at creating fear and uncertainty, and at provoking Governments and other decision-makers. Our response must be determined, carefully considered and well calibrated. We should answer with resolve and unity, and ensure that similar events are never repeated.

"The quick and unequivocal response by the General Assembly and the Security Council on 12 September, as well as the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 1373 last Friday, clearly illustrates the vitality and relevance of this organization in the fight against terrorism. In resolution 1368, the Security Council described the acts of 11 September as a threat to international peace and security, and reaffirmed the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense in accordance with the Charter.

"My government recognizes this right to take measures of self-defense to prevent a similar atrocity, and notes that any response would have to seek to avoid civilian casualties. As stated by the Security Council, our common objective lies in bringing to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these attacks, and to redouble our efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts, including by increased co-operation."

Inocencio F. Arias, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations:

"The United Nations Organization faces an important task and must rise to the occasion. This is a crucial moment for the Organization as well as for us all, representatives of its Member States. Whoever may naively think that this is a problem that afflicts only a few countries will only be fooling him or herself aside from making a serious mistake. If we fail now, we will be letting all victims of terrorism down, and we would be paving the road for future equally abominable acts.

"The work of the United Nations has been made evident, firstly through the Security Council, which immediately adopted Resolution 1368 recognizing that terrorism is a threat to international peace and security, and reaffirming the inherent right of self defense contained in article 51 of the Charter.

"Resolution 1373 grants legal and political strength to a series of international cooperation mechanisms that were previously binding only for Parties to International Conventions against Terrorism. Spain considers this Resolution extremely important because it conveys the message that the international community will not only act against the perpetrators of such horrible recent attacks, but will also take steps to prevent these heinous acts in the future. We strongly support this Resolution and we are ready to cooperate towards its full and proper implementation."

M. Patricia Durrant, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations:

"The course of human history was altered on 11th September when the world was shocked into disbelief at the despicable acts of terrorism perpetrated against the United States and the rest of humanity. Jamaica condemns all acts of terrorism. We condemn those who carry out such acts and those who provide terrorists with support of any kind, including political, diplomatic and moral support. My country, like many others in this Chamber, suffered the loss of lives of our citizens and we all grieve together. All acts of terrorism are criminal and are contrary to societal norms. No just cause can be served by acts of terrorism.

"Since 11th September, the international community has focused, almost exclusively, on the many challenges we face in dealing with this scourge on the society of nations. So far, our actions have been resolute and unequivocal, but we have only just begun. We have taken the first steps, albeit important ones. The true test will be the level of effectiveness achieved in implementing the decisions already taken and those to come."

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