Homeland Security

10 November 2005

U.N. Security Council Condemns Amman Bombings

Jordanian envoy says terrorists must be brought to justice

By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent

United Nations -- The Security Council condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist bombings in Amman, Jordan, which killed more than 50 people and injured more than 100.

On November 9, three suicide terrorists with suspected links to the al-Qaida terrorist group detonated three bombs within minutes of each other at three major hotels. (See related article.)

In a presidential statement read at a formal public meeting November 10 by Council President Andrey Denisov of Russia, the council underlined the need to bring "the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these intolerable acts to justice" and urged all states to cooperate with and provide support and assistance to Jordan.

The Security Council also reaffirmed "that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed."

Jordanian Ambassador Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein welcomed the council's statement as a reflection of the international community's solidarity with the people and government of Jordan.

"This is something that we appreciate truly in this difficult hour," the ambassador said.

"This was an awful crime," he said.  "Jordan is a small country.  The victims are our brothers and sisters; they are our mothers and fathers, our uncles.   They are people from villages, towns.  They are Arabs; they are Muslims.  The people who committed this crime are criminals and inhuman."

The perpetrators have to be brought to justice, he said.

BOLTON DECRIES “HEINOUS TERRORIST ACT”

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said that it was important for the Security Council to reaffirm the international community's determination to combat terrorism.

"This is obviously a heinous terrorist act that has occurred in Amman almost coincident in time with the terrorist bombing in Baghdad," Bolton told journalists after the council meeting.

The nearly simultaneous bombings of the three Amman hotels occurred November 9.  In Baghdad, Iraq, November 10 two suicide bombers struck a restaurant frequented by police killing at least 33 people.  Bolton said that al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for both operations and added "certainly both have the hallmarks of al-Qaida."

"I think the two terrorist bombings occurring in such proximity show that the fight against terrorism is one that really does involve all civilized nations," the ambassador said.  "The terrorist acts we have seen in Iraq over time are linked to terrorist acts in a number of other countries."

For additional information on U.S. policy, see Response to Terrorism. 

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)