
USUN PRESS RELEASE # 4 (02)
January 18, 2002
Statement by Ambassador James B. Cunningham, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to
the United Nations, on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1373,
in the Security Council, January 18, 2002
Thank you, Mr. President.
I want to thank you and Ambassador Greenstock for taking the initiative to schedule this
discussion. I also want to join in commending the work of our friend and colleague,
Jorge Navarrete, and to wish him well.
It is certainly right to meet today to take stock of our counter-terrorism efforts, and I
want to commend Ambassador Greenstock for his leadership and organization of the work of
the Counter-Terrorism Committee.
The Committee has been exemplary in the pace and seriousness of its work, and innovative
in maintaining close touch with the UN membership as a whole. Ambassador
Greenstock's briefing today demonstrates clearly that it will continue to be so as it
enters the next phase of its important work of examining national reports. And I
also agree with his comments about the goal of seeking consensus while at the same time
not condoning that which is not acceptable. Our goal throughout should be to build and
maintain the strongest consensus possible.
The events of September 11 changed the way all of us look at, and respond to, terrorism.
The work of the CTC is an
important element of strengthening international cooperation, and in encouraging stronger
efforts by each nation. Resolution
1373 sets the standard that terrorism is unacceptable and illegal and is to be
opposed. Nothing could be clearer, and all states now have the legal, as well as
political and moral, obligation to act against it. This scourge, as we have
recognized, threatens all nations, all peoples, and indeed, each individual. The
requirement to address terrorism is operational now, and the United States is working hard
to see that it is
met.
I noted the Secretary General's insightful comments about not losing sight of the other
important issues on the international agenda, and we agree. And also, his comments about
the connection between the struggle against
terrorism and human rights -- those are both very important points to keep in mind.
I note also the global, social, political, and economic impact of the September 11 attack
and how they undermine that very fabric in that agenda. We will be living with that
for some time.
The struggle against terror must be won if we are to make progress together in building
the more prosperous, tolerant, secure and democratic world that the vast majority of the
world's people aspire to - this is the world
foreseen in the UN Charter, and in the Millennium Declaration.
To achieve this victory will take time. We must also be clear about the
threat and the response. There are numerous means for attacking it, but it will
simply no longer do to justify terrorism.
As is often the case when the UN membership has difficulty in finding the way ahead, our
Secretary-General has helped define the issue. He told us last year on
October 1 that "there is a need for moral clarity. There can be no
acceptance of those who would seek to justify the deliberate taking of innocent civilian
life, regardless of cause or grievance. If there is one universal principle that all
peoples can agree on, surely it is this." He was right, and the UN membership
should conclude at once the comprehensive convention against terrorism on the basis of the
compromise proposed by Australia.
After September 11, inadequate counter-terrorist programs and infrastructures cannot be
tolerated. Resolution 1373 addresses this head-on. The United States has been
gratified by the roll-up-your sleeves spirit of the Counter-Terrorism Committee members
and UN Members more broadly. We are all tackling the difficult but essential job of
analyzing our anti-terrorism capabilities and identifying areas for improvement. The
task also is best done collectively, and it is being undertaken in this way. No country
can afford to be complacent.
We all recognize that some countries will need material and technical assistance to
improve their counter-terrorism capabilities. The United States offers a broad range
of counter-terrorism assistance programs in a number of subject areas. Topics
include money laundering and financial crimes, customs, immigration, extradition, police
science and law enforcement, and illegal arms trafficking. The programs are set
forth in detail in our submission to the
Committee. We hope that other governments have reported, or will report soon, to
the Counter-Terrorism Committee on the assistance they are able to provide. Many
states need such help in implementing Resolution 1373. Today, I want to stress that
we are eager to be helpful. We suggest that using regional organizations in this
effort may help stretch scarce assistance resources. Even in so important an area as
counter-terrorism, there never is enough money.
Let me close by reiterating how encouraged we are by the work so far of the Committee.
We must not lose sight of the utmost urgency of our collective counter-terrorism
effort, or lapse into a business as usual approach.
Thank you, Mr. President.