Homeland Security

DATE=1/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UN/TERRORISM (L-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-298591

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: UPDATES 2-298582 ///

INTRO: The U-N Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution and declaration urging U-N member states to take urgent action to combat global terrorism. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: Foreign Ministers from 13 of the 15 nations that make up the Security Council participated in the discussions, taking stock of international efforts to counter terrorism.

In a declaration, the council asserted its resolve to strengthen controls on nuclear, chemical and other materials that could be used as weapons of mass destruction, to keep them out of the hands of terrorists.

Dominique de Villepin is the foreign minister of France, which, as the current president of the Security Council, initiated the special session on counter-terrorism efforts. He told reporters after the meeting that terrorism cannot be separated from other threats, and countries must work together in combating it.

/// DE VILLEPIN ACT ///

Unity is the key to success. It is vital, we maintain it. Terrorism is, in fact, behind the other threats at this time -- the spread of weapons of mass destruction, regional crises, criminal networks and illegal financing.

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In their remarks, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw and U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell warned that so-called rogue states, such as Iraq, continue to pose an international risk, and must be prevented from providing terrorists access to deadly weapons.

Members of the Security Council say challenges to fighting terrorism remain significant. In its declaration, the Security Council says more needs to be done to oblige all member states to strengthen their counter-terrorism efforts, including hindering terrorists' mobility, and cutting the flow of funds to terrorist organizations. They also emphasized the need to intensify both regional and international counter-terrorism cooperation.

Secretary General Kofi Annan said recent deadly attacks in Moscow, Bali and Kenya are, quote "a dramatic reminder that success in countering the [terrorist] threat remains elusive." However, he said, members states must be careful not to sacrifice civil liberties in the name of fighting terrorism.

/// ANNAN ACT ///

The danger is that, in pursuit of security, we end up sacrificing crucial liberties, thereby weakening our common security, not strengthening it, and thereby corroding the vessel of democratic government within.

/// END ACT ///

The resolution aims to strengthen the activities of the Security Council's counter-terrorism committee, created in the wake of the 2001 September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States.

The counter-terrorism committee requires that nations offer regular reports, outlining their efforts to fight terrorism. At least 13 nations, predominantly in Africa have failed to do so, and have been given until March 31st to submit their reports. [SIGNED]

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