Further measures under consideration by the Security Council to end the threat posed by the Taliban to international peace and security.
The Taliban's Record on UNSC Resolution 1267 (1999)
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Reaffirming the compelling need to suppress the threat of terrorism, last year the Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1267 on 15 October 1999. The resolution deplored the fact that the Taliban provides shelter to and supports and trains a large number of international terrorists, including indicted terrorist Usama bin Laden.
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The Security Council imposed targeted sanctions on the Taliban and demanded its leadership to cease its support of terrorists and turn over Usama bin Laden to a place where he would be brought to justice.
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The Taliban continue to ignore UNSCR 1267. The Taliban leadership has provided no indication that they intend to comply with the resolution's obligations to stop supporting international terrorism. While flouting the will of the international community, the Taliban have campaigned for international recognition.
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With the Taliban's active support, international terrorists attack and perpetrate violence against States or their citizens, especially for the purposes of fomenting instability in Central and South Asia.
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The Taliban continue to harbor indicted terrorist Usama bin Laden. Bin Laden, indicted for murder, continues to directly threaten several nations of the world and poses a continuing threat to the international community.
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Furthermore, Afghan territory under Taliban control is now the largest producer of opium in the world. The Taliban use illicit funds from narcotics production and trafficking to provide further support for international terrorism, and they continue a war effort that has devastated the humanitarian conditions of the people of Afghanistan.
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Taliban policies have aggravated the already abysmal social and economic conditions of Afghanistan's people. The Taliban violate international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly by discriminating against women and girls.
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UNSC Resolution 1267 -- a ban on Ariana Afghan Airline flights (except for humanitarian and religious purposes) and a freeze on Taliban assets -- was a limited step that needs reinforcement with additional measures.
Further Measures Under Consideration by the Security Council
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Because the Taliban have ignored their obligations under UNSC Resolution 1267 and have continued to threaten international peace and security, the Security Council will:
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Demand the Taliban comply with Resolution 1267 and cease providing training and support of international terrorists;
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Insist the Taliban turn over indicted international terrorist Usama bin Laden so he can be brought to justice;
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Direct the Taliban to close all terrorist camps in Afghanistan within 30 days.
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Until the Taliban fully comply with their obligations under this resolution and resolution 1267, the Security Council will:
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Freeze the financial assets of Usama bin Laden;
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Impose an arms embargo against the Taliban that includes a prohibition on providing military weapons, training, or advice;
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Close all Taliban offices overseas;
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Urge Member States to reduce the staff at the limited number of Taliban missions abroad;
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Advise Member States to restrict travel of top Taliban officials except for the purposes of participation in peace negotiations, compliance with the resolution, or for humanitarian reasons including religious obligations;
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Ban the export to Afghan territory of a precursor chemical, acetic anhydride, which is used to manufacture heroin;
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Close all offices of Ariana Afghan Airlines and ban all non-humanitarian assistance flights into and out of Afghanistan. Broad exemptions are given to humanitarian flights operated by, or on behalf of, non-governmental organizations and governmental relief agencies providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
"Smart" Sanctions Address Humanitarian Concerns
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The Security Council recognizes the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people and, therefore, has taken steps to strictly focus these additional measures on the Taliban leadership and their ability to fund and support international terrorism.
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The measures are carefully crafted to avoid adverse humanitarian consequences for the Afghan people, who have already suffered through more than 20 years of war and the worst drought in a generation.
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The Security Council provides adequate and effective exemptions to avoid adverse humanitarian consequences on the people of Afghanistan. It also structures the sanctions in a way that will not impede, thwart, or delay the work of international humanitarian assistance organizations or governmental relief agencies providing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in the country.
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Accordingly, these "smart sanctions" minimize any possible humanitarian impact. Where such impact could even be possible, the Security Council directs that the broad humanitarian exemptions in place, and that the potential humanitarian impact of these measures, be assessed on a regular basis.
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Together, the targeted sanctions along with the broad humanitarian exemptions can reduce the threat to international peace and security while at the same time avoid adverse consequences for the civilian population of Afghanistan. Further, international humanitarian assistance operations will continue unimpeded by these measures.
Parallel Efforts in Support of Peace and Stability
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There will be no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, and, therefore, the Security Council supports the initiative of Secretary General Annan's personal envoy for Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell, to negotiate a cease-fire between the Taliban and the United Front (Northern Alliance) as a first step in reaching a political settlement to the conflict.
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Despite these diplomatic efforts, the Taliban continue to threaten international peace and stability with their support of international terrorists, including Usama bin Laden. Accordingly, the Security Council targets these sanctions to encourage Taliban compliance with the Council's demand to end their support of international terrorists, to close the terrorist camps, and to hand over international terrorist Usama bin Laden.
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The Security Council urges the Taliban to engage in peace negotiations, and, therefore, under this sanctions regime the Security Council supports Mr. Vendrell's efforts by providing ample exemptions for the Taliban leadership to engage in these
Both efforts are to be conducted in parallel to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan while at the same time stop the Taliban's support and promotion of international terrorism in the region and elsewhere.
[end of document]
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