Open meeting of the Security Council on Second Oral Assessment by the Chairman, Al Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee

Statement by Ambassador Munir Akrm, Permanent Representative (12 January 2004)

Mr. President,

Since this is the first formal meeting of the Council for the year, let me take the opportunity to express the happiness of Pakistan’s delegation to see you preside over the Council as we inaugurate our work for the year.

I would also like to express my delegation’s appreciation for the skilful manner in which your predecessor, Ambassador Tafrov of Bulgaria conducted the Presidency for the previous month.

The Pakistan delegation wishes to thank all the five departing Council members, and to welcome the new members of the Council, who have taken their seats this year.

We thank you as the Chairman of the 1267 Committee for the presentation of a comprehensive report and assessment of the Committee’s work.

Pakistan is a front line state in the fight against terrorism. We have deployed 70000 troops on our borders with Afghanistan for the interdiction and search of infiltrating or ex-filtrating Al Qaida and Taliban. Pakistan has developed an effective intelligence network and a quick reaction force for this purpose. We have captured over 500 Al Qaida and Taliban operatives in this campaign which is continuing actively at present.

Al Qaida is a shadow of its past toady but the nature of the threat, even if more diffused, is more complex through the splintering of cells and subcontracting of terrorism. Terrorists have conducted operations in many countries, including my own, and the 1267 Committee as well as the Counter Terrorism Committee must be responsive to the mutating threat that is evolving.

Mr. President,

We appreciate the work done by the Al Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee. We have fully supported its efforts in all respects. We welcome your visit to Pakistan. We believe, your visits to various countries have energized the work of the Committee and we trust that you have found your interactions in Pakistan positive and constructive. Pakistan for its part requires financial and technical assistance to enhance its capacity for counter terrorism and particularly with regard to surveillance equipment at its ports of entry and exit as well as the development of human resources.

I would like to offer a few comments and suggestions with regard to the report we have received today:

• We have noted that the visits by the Chairman and members of the Committee were useful in observing first hand the efforts of states in fighting terrorism particularly Al Qaida, the Taliban and their associates. Such visits and dialogue should be continued in future in order to sensitize both the Committee and member states on the need for coordinated action and mutual cooperation.



• The policy of transparency and holding periodic briefings by the Chairman of the Committee should also be continued to enlist maximum support of the international community.



• The Committee should further streamline and improve the process of submitting new names for addition to the consolidated list. A designating state should not only consult the concerned states, but also provide as much background information or evidence as possible both to ensure the credibility of the list and to meet due process and legal requirements.



• It is clear that there is need for legal clarity and precision in regard to the preparation of the list. In particular, there is a need for careful identification of the coverage of the Taliban, taking into account the emerging realities in Afghanistan.



• Financing of terrorism continues to be a major area of concern. The Committee should continue its focus on alternative remittance systems. In this context, it is important to provide greater assistance to states needing such assistance to improve their financial structures including banking systems.



• We are mindful of the Committee’s needs in terms of experts and analytical support to fulfill its mandate in accordance with Council resolutions. We hope that the appointment of experts and analysts would be made in line with the principles of equitable geographical distribution and other relevant UN rules and procedures.



• The Committee should also pay more attention to factors such as reporting fatigue which may hamper states’ cooperation with the Committee.



• In order to maintain its credibility and legitimacy, the Committee should continue to operate within its mandate to ensure that states comply with their obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions.



• The performance of states should be evaluated not only on the basis of their country reports but their actions on the ground against terrorism.

The fight against terrorism can be successful only if we address the problems in all its facets. Military and administrative measures are but a part of the comprehensive response which the problem requires. We will need to search for long term solutions and pay greater attention to factors which lie at the root of terrorism. There is, in particular, a certain correlation between poverty, religious and political persecution and injustice with terrorism.

The war against terrorism must be fought, therefore, comprehensively, on a global front with vision and understanding. It should not erode the moral values of our society. It must not be hijacked by those who seek to use it as an excuse to suppress other peoples. It must not be allowed to engender a clash of civilizations.

I thank you Mr. President.