DATE=10/19/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - TERRORISM (L - ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255248
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council is
(Tuesday) calling for stronger international
cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The call
comes amid concerns that new terrorism threats --
involving high-technology and weapons of mass
destruction -- are on the increase. V-O-A's U-N
correspondent Max Ruston reports.
TEXT: The Security Council unanimously approved a
resolution denouncing all forms of terrorism. The
resolution stresses the need for governments to
improve their cooperation in fighting terrorism. It
says terrorism often poses a threat to international
peace and security, a choice of words that will likely
be used in the future to justify Council measures
against states that support terrorism.
Council President Sergei Lavrov of Russia, speaking
through an interpreter:
/// LAVROV ACT (INTERPRETER) ///
The resolution adopted today, is, in a way, an
antiterrorist manifesto, defining high priority
areas for such interaction, among which there
are universalization of multilateral conventions
to combat terrorism, coordination of the
activities of states and multilateral and
regional organizations, mutual assistance to
protect citizens, to prevent and halt terrorist
acts, to investigate them and bring to justice
perpetrators and those guilty also of preparing
and financing them.
/// END ACT ///
While Russia's U-N ambassador focussed on the need for
international cooperation, several other speakers in
the open session of the Security Council warned of new
types of terrorism. Canada's ambassador says there is
a widening range of targets vulnerable to terrorist
acts, including the internet, global communications
systems, electricity grids and telecommunications and
water facilities. The Deputy Representative from the
Netherlands, Alphons Hamer, says these factors create
a new threat of what he calls catastrophic terrorism.
/// HAMER ACT ///
What is new is the degree of sophistication of
terrorist acts and terrorism's increasingly
global character. Enormous financial gains from
illicit transactions, the abundant availability
of both small arms and the most sophisticated
weaponry as well as the easy access to
technology all helped create an ever more
dangerous type of terrorist. Extensive
international networks of organized criminals
are creating an infrastructure of so-called
catastrophic terrorism which poses a threat to
international peace and security.
/// END ACT ///
Security Council members say they have recently
stepped up their involvement in fighting terrorism,
most recently with a U-S-sponsored resolution approved
last week denouncing Afghanistan for its support of
alleged terrorist Usama bin Laden.
U-S Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke
says that resolution reflects the clear determination
of Washington to fight all forms of terrorism.
/// HOLBROOKE ACT ///
The United States' policy on terrorism is clear
and simple: terrorism is a criminal activity
regardless of the circumstances or reasons.
There are no mitigating factors. There are no
questions. We do not tolerate it, and we will
continue to pursue its perpetrators until they
are brought to justice.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Holbrooke dismissed what he described as phony
arguments about so-called just causes for terrorism.
He said it is time for Council members to summon the
political courage to more seriously address the threat
of terrorism at home and abroad. (Signed)
NEB/MPR/LSF/TVM/PT
19-Oct-1999 15:32 PM EDT (19-Oct-1999 1932 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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