Three days ago, in accordance with Article 51 of the
Charter of the United Nations, the United States,
together with other States, initiated actions in the
exercise of its inherent right of individual and
collective self-defense in response to armed attacks
that were carried out against the United States on
September 11, 2001.
The United States has clear and compelling
information that the al-Qaeda organization had a central
role in the September 11 attacks. Al-Qaeda is supported
by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan that has allowed
parts of Afghanistan that it controls to be used as a
base of operations for al-Qaeda. Despite every effort by
the United States and the international community, the
Taliban regime has refused to change its policy of
support for al-Qaeda.
Therefore, in response to these attacks, and in
accordance with its inherent right of individual and
collective self-defense, United States Armed Forces have
undertaken actions to prevent and deter further attacks
on the United States. These actions include measures
against al-Qaeda terrorist training camps and military
installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
In carrying out these actions, the United States has
sought to minimize civilian casualties and damage to
civilian property. In addition, the United States will
continue its humanitarian efforts to alleviate the
suffering of the people of Afghanistan. We are providing
them with food, medicine and humanitarian supplies.
The United States believes the United Nations should
play a major role in the international community's
long-term efforts to defeat terrorism. The Security
Council's unanimous adoption of UNSCR 1373 on September
28 is a major step. Because of the broad, inclusive
nature of UNSCR 1373 and its global effect, there is, we
believe, no need for resolutions in other international
fora. This resolution aims at limiting the ability of
terrorist organizations to operate internationally and
specifically targets the terrorists' ability to solicit
and move funds, move across international borders, find
safe havens and acquire weapons.
In particular, we think that:
- The OSCE should focus on concrete actions to help
member States implement agreements they have already
signed and to abide by the provisions of UNSCR 1373.
OSCE counter-terrorism efforts should center on helping
member States implement anti-terrorism obligations.
- The OSCE, via the CIO Working Group on Combating
Terrorism, should further aim at a Ministerial Decision
outlining a counter-terrorism action plan.
- The FSC should provide advice and assistance to the
CIO Working Group. In particular, the FSC, where
appropriate, could and should examine compliance with
existing commitments.
- The appointment of a senior police advisor should
be encouraged. The police advisor's mandate should
include helping states to improve their ability to
implement the law enforcement components of
counter-terrorism, and other counter-terrorism
obligations.
- The FSC could also evaluate the status of
participation in OSCE-relevant terrorism conventions
listed by participating states in their replies to the
Questionnaire of Code of Conduct on Politico-Military
Aspects of Security. During the Working Group A meeting
today, the FSC could canvass these responses,
specifically to question #l, using the compilation
helpfully provided by the CPC.
We would also ask for participating States to share
additional information and update their last submission
made in April this year.
We will, through the Working Group on Combating
Terrorism, be pursuing other responses by the OSCE,
including the rapid appointment of a senior police
adviser, whose mandate should include helping states
improve their ability to implement the law enforcement
components of counter-terrorism and other
counter-terrorism obligations.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, we believe the Working Group
on Combating Terrorism should pursue a commitment by all
OSCE states as well as our partners for cooperation, to
sign by a date certain all of the UN conventions on
counter-terrorism.
Thank
you.
