
USUN PRESS RELEASE # 53 (02)
April 15, 2002
Statement by Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Deputy United
States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Threats to
International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts, in the
Security Council, April 15, 2002
Thank you, Mr. President.
It is good for us to observe that six months have gone by since the
establishment of the
Counter-Terrorism
Committee, and to take note of what really has been significant
progress achieved in its work and to look a little bit ahead now. I want
to thank
Ambassador Greenstock, as others have done, for his vigorous,
committed and creative leadership, and also to thank all those who have
worked with him -- I am sure he would be the first to acknowledge what a
tremendous team effort this has been -- particularly the vice-chairs,
the committee members and all the experts involved. This has been
complicated, hard work and they have done a tremendous job. I must say I
think they have had a lot of success in helping to focus global efforts
on the global threat that is terrorism.
1373 was
intended to enhance the members' ability - that is, the members of the
international community - to combat terror over the long-term. There is
no deadline in this struggle, no foreseeable end to it. We will have
occasion to come back periodically over time to assess how we are doing.
In that regard, I note and welcome Ambassador Greenstock's thought that
the Counter-Terrorism Committee will preserve the potential for dialogue
with all states and with each state as this process goes forward because
all of us, I hope, will be adapting as we learn more and as we achieve
progress in the battle against terrorism.
All states have an obligation to comply with 1373 both in terms of the
process that it sets out and by national action. We urge members who
have not filed
reports with the Committee to do so. And we encourage members who
have the capacity to do so to provide assistance to those who need it;
and those who want to join the fight against terrorism and who need help
in doing so; and those who want to fully implement 1373 and need help in
doing so. A number of states, including the United States, are engaged
in this effort of providing support, and we want to encourage everybody
to do what they can in that regard.
I also want to applaud Ambassador Greenstock's vision of a vigorous and
dynamic Counter-Terrorism Committee process and effort, including more
direct dialogue with members in the next phase of the Counter-Terrorism
Committee's work and in addressing concerns about failures to implement
1373 or to comply with all of its provisions.
I want to join others also in emphasizing the importance of the roles of
regional and sub-regional organizations in the fight against terrorism.
These organizations -- those who are willing to join in the fight --
have an essential role to play, we think, because they provide a local,
regional forum of interchange, action, encouragement, and assistance.
They are well-placed to encourage their members to implement 1373 and
they are also well-placed to assist the Counter-Terrorism Committee in
monitoring implementation and promoting international support for its
efforts. The
United States strongly supports the deepening of contacts between the
Counter-Terrorism Committee and those regional organizations that are
joining the fight against terror.
We of course support the course Ambassador Greenstock has outlined for
the future, and welcome the continued strong leadership he and his
colleagues have brought to bear in this endeavor.
Thank you, Mr. President.