"Occasion of Oral Briefing by the Chairman of Al Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee to the Security Council"

Statement by Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations (13th September 2004)

Mr. President,

would like to join other delegations in expressing our gratitude to Ambassador Munoz, Chairman of the Al Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee for his second 120 day briefing under paragraph 12 of resolution 1526 (2004) to the Council on the work of the Committee and the Monitoring Team. We also wish to thank the Monitoring Team for their first six-monthly report under resolution 1526 (2004).

2. Our meeting today closely follows the third anniversary of the tragic events of 11th September 2001, which shocked the entire world and evoked universal condemnation. We share the grief of the families of the thousands of victims - from 110 countries - and extend to them our heartfelt commiserations. Three years after 9/11, the world still confronts terrorist threats. The recent terrorist attacks on innocent school children and their parents in Beslan was a gruesome reminder. We extend our profound condolences to the victims and to the government of the Russian Federation. Last week’s bombing of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta is but the latest reminder of our vulnerabilities to organized and globalized terrorism.

Mr. President,

3. Terrorism, perpetrated by individuals, groups or states, poses an ever present threat to many countries. Today, terrorism also threatens Pakistan’s vital national interests and objectives. We have participated actively in the unprecedented global campaign against terrorism. Pakistan has led the way in capturing the majority of leadership of the Al Qaida and over 500 terrorists. Our campaign against the terrorists is ongoing: on the Afghan-Pakistan border, in bilateral cooperation with major powers, and within the United Nations. Our actions have naturally attracted increased terrorist attacks including against our President and Prime Minister.



4. The Monitoring Team of the 1267 Committee which visited Pakistan in July this year was able to observe first hand our actions on the ground to fight terrorism particularly in the tribal areas along our Western border and noted in its report the ‘convincing demonstration’ of our determination to fight the terrorists.

Mr. President,

5. It would be simplistic to expect the Security Council’s sanctions regimes alone to eliminate the threat of terrorism. The campaign against terrorism must be pursued with full comprehension of the threat and a clear strategy for success.



6. We have noted the work done by the Committee during the last four months. We have also noted the recommendations of the Monitoring Team. We would continue to work closely with the Committee and the Team in their efforts to improve the sanctions.

Mr. President,

7. I have a few comments to make about the work of the Committee and the Monitoring Team:

1. We share the Chairman’s view that the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated list is essential for the success of the sanctions. This would also help states in prosecuting or extraditing listed individuals and entities.
2. The Committee should continue to further improve the delisting procedures and address due process concerns.
3. Implementation of financial sanctions should not unduly target Islamic Charities or discourage people from making contributions for charitable purposes which is an Islamic obligation (Zakat).
4. The Committee should use the term ‘associates’ carefully. Expansive interpretation of this term to target diverse terrorists as linked to Al Qaida runs the risk of diluting the focus of the Committee.
5. Visits to states by the Committee Chairman and the Monitoring Team should be used to foster cooperation through facilitation of provision of technical assistance and constructive dialogue. We hope post visit briefings and reports would continue to be made on a regular basis. These have been useful in enhancing the Committee’s understanding and promoting transparency.
6. The Committee’s efforts to cooperate with other UN bodies should be pursued, as pointed out by the Chairman today, ‘while fully respecting their distinctive mandates’.
7. We have noted Monitoring Team’s concerns regarding the threat of Al Qaida constructing bombs that disperse a chemical, biological or radiological pollutant or making a dirty bomb or other weapons of mass casualties. We believe that there is a need for a realistic evaluation of this threat, which should not divert the Committee from fulfilling its central mandate. The WMD-Terrorism threats can be addressed through steps in accordance with Security Council resolution 1540 and faithful implementation and improvement of existing international regimes dealing with nuclear, chemical, radiological, and biological weapons.

8. The Committee also needs to adopt a discerning approach in dealing with the Taliban bearing in mind the political and security realities in Afghanistan and the policies of President Karzai’s government.

Mr. President,

9. Terrorism continues to be a global threat requiring a coordinated international response. The Monitoring Team’s report indicates that Al Qaida has ‘evolved into a global network of groups – unbound by structure but held together by a set of overlapping ideological goals.’ It appears from the report that this evolving network generally avoids using conventional means of finance, travel or arms acquisition. This underscores the need for a matching response to prevent future terrorist attacks.



10. The global cooperation against terrorism has been highly successful. Determined and collective action has contained and disrupted the violent agendas of the terrorists. The immediate anti terrorist response must, however, be accompanied by a clear, long term strategy for success in ensuring an end to this murderous tactic. Such a strategy must include the following elements:




1. A consensus on a definition of terrorism,
2. De-legitimizing the terrorist’s cause by addressing issues such as foreign occupation, the denial of self determination, military intervention and the use of force.
3. Addressing the broader and structural issues including political and economic injustices.



4. Ensuring that counter terrorism doest not violate fundamental human rights or provoke a clash of cultures.

Mr. President,

11. Attempts to identify terrorism with Islam are unfair and counter productive. They defame our sacred and peace–loving faith. Unwittingly, they accord terrorists an ideological respectability they do not deserve. They intensify hostility. They weaken those who propagate moderation, enlightenment and cooperation. We urge in this context, consideration of the strategy of ‘Enlightened Moderation’, proposed by President Musharraf.



12. We agree with the Chairman that we need to do a lot more to defeat terrorism. The Al Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee and Security Council can reinforce and coordinate but not substitute national and regional actions. The success of the Committee hinges on the cooperation it receives from states as well as on the comprehensiveness and clarity of our response to the terrorist threat.

I thank you, Mr. President.