03 October 2001
Excerpts: Countries Continue Terrorism Debate at United Nations
(General Assembly statements scheduled through October 5) (2060)
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:
(begin excerpts)
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."
(end excerpts)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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