Eliminate International Terrorism

Resolution 1377 (2001) Adopted Unanimously; Council Hears Statements by US Secretary of State, 14 Foreign Ministers
Declaring that acts of international terrorism constitute one of the most serious threats to international peace and security in the twenty-first century, and that such acts further constitute a challenge to all countries and all humanity, the Security Council on 12 November called on all States to intensify their efforts to eliminate international terrorism. 

It took that action at the end of a ministerial meeting when it unanimously adopted resolution 1377 (2001). By other terms it affirmed that a sustained, comprehensive approach, involving the active participation and collaboration of Member States was essential to combat international terrorism.

The Council stressed that continuing international efforts to broaden the understanding among civilizations and to address regional conflicts and the full range of global issues, including those related to development, would contribute to international cooperation and collaboration, which themselves were necessary to sustain the broadest possible fight against international terrorism. States were also called on to become parties as soon as possible to the international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism. 

The text further called on States to take urgent steps to fully implement resolution 1373 (2001), and to assist each other in doing so. It also underlined the obligation of States to deny financial and all other forms of support and safe haven to terrorists and the supporters of terrorism.

On 28 September, the Council adopted resolution 1373 (2001) -- a wide-ranging comprehensive resolution with steps and strategies to combat international terrorism. By that text, the Council established a Committee to monitor the implementation of the resolution and called on all States to report on action they had taken to that end no later than 90 days from 28 September. Among the steps and strategies were calls for suppressing the financing of terrorism and improving international cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism activities. 

By other terms of this latest resolution, the Council expressed its determination to proceed with the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) in full cooperation with the whole United Nations membership, and welcomed the progress made so far by the Counter-Terrorism Committee to monitor implementation of the resolution. 

Furthermore the Council recognized that many States would require assistance in implementing all the requirements of 1373 (2001), and invited such States to inform the Counter-Terrorism Committee of areas in which they required support.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the United Nations was uniquely placed to facilitate cooperation between governments in the fight against terrorism. That fight must begin with ensuring that the existing instruments on international terrorism under United Nations auspices were signed, ratified and implemented without delay by all States. It was also important to obtain agreement on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. He emphasized the need for moral clarity and said there could be no acceptance of those who sought to justify the deliberate taking of innocent civilian life regardless of cause or grievance. 

"Action is needed and action is needed now", United States Secretary of State Colin Powell said. His country was taking the fight directly to the terrorists and their supporters. The swift action of the Council had made clear that the perpetrators and their supporters would be held accountable. Resolution 1373 (2001) was a mandate to fundamentally change how the international community responded to terrorism - but to be effective, it required a new resolve. States must now work together bilaterally and multilaterally.

For many, he said, implementation of the resolution would involve complicated and difficult challenges to their legal systems and require changes on many levels. The United States was ready to provide technical assistance in areas ranging from aviation security to the tracking measures used by law enforcement. 

The Security Council also expressed its sympathy to the families of the 246 people who had died aboard the American Airlines aircraft, which crashed that morning in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. Condolences were also expressed to the United States Government over the tragic event. A moment of silence was then observed. Individual speakers in their statements all expressed condolences and sympathy. 

The Foreign Ministers of China, Colombia, France, Ireland, Mauritius, Norway, Russian Federation, Singapore, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Mali and Bangladesh also made statements.