The Counter-Terrorism Committee and Threats to International Peace and Security

Mr. President,

A year ago, the abominable terrorist attacks of September 11th compelled the international community to take a stand in defense of the shared values embodied in the UN Charter. The adoption of Resolution 1373 and the ensuing work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) represent a chapter in the history of the Security Council and the United Nations in which we can take pride together, while forever recalling the mortal menace and cruelty that has spurred our collective action. The efforts of the CTC are an essential front in our common fight.

By now, all are familiar with the series of binding obligations that this resolution imposes on each and every Member State. Moreover, the establishment of the CTC through operative paragraph 6 of Resolution 1373 will have an enduring resonance and significance. I might add that one should reflect on where we would be today were the CTC not created. We would be way behind in the fight against terrorism and in the effort to improve the world’s capacity to conduct counter-terrorism operations and to protect every nation-state against terrorism.

Last September, during the drafting and negotiation of Resolution 1373, this delegation admitted skepticism at the intent to create a body to monitor implementation. But as my remarks just indicated, that skepticism has long since vanished.

The achievements of the CTC in this first year would not have been possible without the contributions of the people who stand behind it. And first and foremost of course, the United States would like to commend Ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock for his vigorous and committed leadership of the CTC. We would also like to thank the dedicated team of the UK Mission: Anna Clunes, Dominic Fortescue, Juliet Gilbert, Iain Macleod, and Karen Williams for their hard work in support of Ambassador Greenstock’s efforts. Second, we commend the three Vice Chairmen, the Ambassadors from Colombia, Mauritius, and Russia, for their, and their staff’s, tireless efforts in making sure the three sub-committees conducted their work in an efficient and professional manner, and indeed made the innovation of creation of subcommittees such a success. Third, we would like to acknowledge the important contributions made by the dedicated team of CTC experts. Without their cooperation and skill the CTC could not have reviewed and responded to the over 200 reports it has so far received. And, finally, I would like to extend our congratulations and acknowledgement to the important contribution of the UN Secretariat in support of the CTC.

Ambassador Greenstock has insisted on serious and energetic implementation of Resolution 1373 and monitoring by the CTC. He has been imaginative and effective both in building and maintaining consensus within the CTC and among the UN membership, and indeed in this work has set an example which others might follow to the general benefit of the organization.

Effective counter-terrorism requires international cooperation. There simply is no substitute for it, and the CTC has encouraged this cooperation. Effective counter-terrorism also is an effort to vindicate and defend the rule of law. Effective protection of human rights is always the defense of rule of law. Terrorists and their supporters are enemies of the rule of law, and we must not have any confusion on this point. The core of 1373 is an obligation on all states to strengthen their legal institutions and capacities to combat terrorism. And in this respect there is no incompatibility between this effort and developing the rule of law and therefore the protection of basic human rights.

The priorities, we believe, of the CTC for the next period as set forth by Ambassador Greenstock and endorsed by the committee are sound and provide good guidance for the future work of the committee. But, they are based on the achievements of the committee in its first year. First, the substantial number of States revising or upgrading their laws to fall in line with Resolution 1373. Second, the committee has helped accelerate the pace of ratification of the 12 international terrorism conventions and protocols, particularly the "Terrorist Bombing" and "Terrorist Financing" Conventions. And, finally, a wide array of international institutions and regional and sub-regional organizations have joined the CTC in the effort to enhance and speed implementation of Resolution 1373. This, in the view of the CTC, is an indispensable partnership.

Another critical aspect of the CTC’s work this past year, and it will be in the future, has been its efforts to facilitate the provision of technical assistance to those States lacking capacity. This effort has included the creation of what will be a comprehensive dictionary or database of technical assistance providers, and an ongoing effort to facilitate the linkup between States requiring assistance and those States willing to provide assistance.

As the CTC begins its second year of work, the Committee should continue to approach its task with the same level of urgency and enthusiasm that has characterized its work over the past year. We also urge all Member States to continue to cooperate with the CTC and to implement their obligations under Resolution 1373 with a sense of urgency. It cannot be stated often enough that the threat of terrorist attack is with us at all times still.

For my country, the one year anniversary of Resolution 1373 is and forever shall be bound to the events of September 11, 2001, when nearly 3,000 persons from over 90 countries lost their lives in the attacks we all remember. It is important that the United Nations has taken key steps in this struggle against terrorism in the future and in the present. By strengthening international standards and norms through Resolution 1373 and the work of the CTC, and by striking to cut off the financial lifeblood of terrorists through Resolutions 1267 and 1390, the United Nations and this institution has shown its capacity for important ongoing and indispensable effort on behalf of the international community as a whole.

Thank you Mr. President.