08 October 2001
Text: Negroponte Letter to the UNSC President on October 7, 2001
(Says Al-Qaeda organization had a central role in attacks) (650)
In response to the armed attacks that were carried out against the
United States on September 11, 2001, U.S. Ambassador to the United
Nations John D. Negroponte reported that U.S. armed forces have
"initiated actions designed to prevent and deter further attacks on
the United States."
"These actions include measures against Al-Qaeda terrorist training
camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in
Afghanistan," Negroponte said in a letter addressed to the President
of the United Nations Security Council October 7.
Negroponte said his Government has obtained clear and compelling
information that the Al-Qaeda organization, which is supported by the
Taliban regime in Afghanistan, had a central role in the attacks.
"There is still much we do not know," Negroponte said. "Our inquiry is
in its early stages. We may find that our self-defense requires
further actions with respect to other organizations and other States."
Following is the USUN Mission text:
(begin USUN text)
The Representative of the United States of America to the United
Nations
October 7, 2001
Mr. President:
In accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, I
wish, on behalf of my Government, to report that the United States of
America, together with other States, has initiated actions in the
exercise of its inherent right of individual and collective
self-defense following armed attacks that were carried out against the
United States on September 11, 2001.
On September 11, 2001, the United States was the victim of massive and
brutal attacks in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
These attacks were specifically designed to maximize the loss of life;
they resulted in the death of more than five thousand persons,
including nationals of 81 countries, as well as the destruction of
four civilian aircraft, the World Trade Center towers and a section of
the Pentagon. Since September 11, my Government has obtained clear and
compelling information that the Al-Qaeda organization, which is
supported by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, had a central role in
the attacks. There is still much we do not know. Our inquiry is in its
early stages. We may find that our self-defense requires further
actions with respect to other organizations and other States.
The attacks on September 11, 2001, and the ongoing threat to the
United States and its nationals posed by the Al-Qaeda organization
have been made possible by the decision of the Taliban regime to allow
the parts of Afghanistan that it controls to be used by this
organization as a base of operation. Despite every effort by the
United States and the international community, the Taliban regime has
refused to change its policy. From the territory of Afghanistan, the
Al-Qaeda organization continues to train and support agents of terror
who attack innocent people throughout the world and target United
States nationals and interests in the United States and abroad.
In response to these attacks, and in accordance with the inherent
right of individual and collective self-defense, United States armed
forces have initiated actions designed to prevent and deter further
attacks on the United States. These actions include measures against
Al-Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the
Taliban regime in Afghanistan. In carrying out these actions, the
United States will continue its humanitarian efforts to alleviate the
suffering of the people of Afghanistan. We are providing them with
food, medicine and supplies.
I ask that you circulate the text of the present letter as a document
of the Security Council.
Sincerely,
John D. Negroponte
to
His Escellency
Mr. Richard Ryan,
President of the Security Countil,
United Nations,
New York, New York
(end USUN text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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