Homeland Security

DATE=10/16/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N/Counter Terrorism (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-308703

BYLINE=KERRY SHERIDAN

DATELINE=

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The head of the U-N counter-terrorism committee said Thursday many states are late in submitting reports on how they are fighting terrorism. Kerry Sheridan reports from V-O-A's New York Bureau.

TEXT: The U-N counter-terrorism committee was established after September 11, 2001, to unify all nations in taking steps to prevent future terrorist attacks, similar to the ones that occurred that day.

The first step in a three-stage process is to examine legislation in each nation. The second step involves implementing legislation to guard against terrorist fund-raising and terrorist activity.

Each nation must submit reports about its anti-terrorist legislation. Inocencio Arias, the U-N Ambassador from Spain, says more than 40 countries are behind in the process. Speaking through an interpreter, Mr. Arias told the United Nations he will not release the names of those countries until later this month.

/// ARIAS ACT ///

In accordance with the obligation of transparency, we will submit to the Security Council on 31 October a list of states which have not yet submitted their reports on time.

/// END ACT ///

The open session comes one day after the head of U-N committee on al-Qaida and the Taleban said those groups' financial transactions have become more sophisticated and harder to track.

U-S Ambassador James Cunningham suggested that committee members visit capitals of countries that are behind in order to find out how to combat the delays.

/// CUNNINGHAM ACT ///

These consultations in capitals would aim to learn more about the areas where implementation is incomplete and

where member states need assistance.

/// END ACT ///

The U-S ambassador called on all nations to cooperate with the counter-terrorism initiatives with a new sense of urgency, and not to wait idly for another terrorist attack to occur. (Signed)

NEB/NYC/KS/PT/RH