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Mr. Chairman,
I wish to congratulate you on assuming the Chairmanship of this Committee. We
are confident that under your able stewardship the Committee would be able to
make progress in dealing with the issues before it during the 59th Session of
the General Assembly.
2. We have noted the report contained in document A/C.6/59/L.10, by Mr. Rohan
Perera, Chairman of Working Group on the discussions earlier this month from 4 -
8 October, about the two draft conventions on terrorism, the Draft Comprehensive
Convention on International Terrorism and the Draft Convention for the
Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. We have also noted the report of the
Ad Hoc Committee established by resolution 51/210 of 17 December 1996 on its
meeting held from 28 June to 2 July 2004 contained in document A/59/37. We have
also taken note of the Report of the Secretary General contained in document
A/59/210 and its corrigendum. We are grateful to the Secretary General for his
report on ‘Strengthening international cooperation and technical assistance in
preventing and combating terrorism’ contained in document A/59/187.
3. We have noted the efforts of the Working Group to reach consensus on the
difficult issues confronting the Sixth Committee while trying to elaborate the
two draft conventions against terrorism. We believe that agreement on these two
conventions would be facilitated by arriving at a consensual definition of
terrorism.
4. We have noted the recommendation of the Working Group that work continue with
the aim of finalizing the texts of the two draft conventions, building upon the
work already accomplished. We have also noted the call to states by the Security
Council made in OP-5 of its resolution 1566 (2004) adopted earlier this month to
‘cooperate fully on an expedited basis in resolving all outstanding issues with
a view to adopting by consensus’ the two draft conventions.
5. We are encouraged by the report of the coordinator that there was a ‘renewed
willingness to provide fresh impetus to the negotiations’ and to consider
alternative solutions, particularly on article 18 of the Draft Comprehensive
Convention. We share the view that the ‘central role of the General Assembly in
the elaboration of instruments against terrorism must be stressed, even though
other principal organs of the Organizations were seized of questions concerning
terrorism’, as reported in paragraph 7 of the Coordinators’ report (contained in
Annex to document A/C.6/59/L.10).
Mr. Chairman,
6. Pakistan remains concerned about the increasing acts of terrorism all over
the world, including the recent terrorist attacks in several Pakistani cities
and other parts of the world. These terrorist attacks remind us of our
collective vulnerability.
7. Terrorism is condemnable in all its forms and manifestations, including state
terrorism. Pakistan has long been a victim of terrorism. Thousands of innocent
civilians as well as many law enforcement officials have made the ultimate
sacrifice in our common struggle against terrorism. Terrorist attacks have also
been made at the lives of our President and Prime Minister.
8. However, we remain undeterred in our conviction to fight terrorism and the
terrorist threat. Pakistan is proud to be in the forefront of this fight. Our
counter terrorism efforts continue on various fronts both domestic and
international. We have taken a number of measures to strengthen our domestic
legal and administrative framework. We have signed or ratified 11 out of 12 UN
Conventions and Protocols against terrorism. We are also in process of further
strengthening our financial mechanisms to prevent financing of terrorism. We
have banned a number of extremist organizations and the activities of others are
being closely monitored. Recently Pakistan launched large scale operations in
the tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan against terrorists,
extremists and other criminals. As a result of our efforts, a number of
terrorists have been captured or arrested including about 600 Al Qaida
operatives.
9. As a member of the Security Council, Pakistan is contributing actively to the
work of the Counter Terrorism Committee, Al Qaida and Taliban Sanctions
Committee and the 1540 Committee.
Mr. Chairman,
10. Extremism and intolerance are important preludes to terrorism. We need to
step up our efforts to enhance harmony and understanding among the peoples, at
national and international level, to guard against extremism and intolerance.
11. Our struggle against terrorism cannot be successful unless and until we
adopt a comprehensive strategy. It is high time we begin earnest efforts to
ensure terrorism is combated in all its aspects. We should address situations
which lead to extremism and ultimately terrorism. The international community
must ensure international rule of law and justice and redouble its efforts to
resolve long standing international disputes. It should focus its efforts on
addressing the root causes of terrorism to find a lasting solution to the
terrorist threat.
12. The General Assembly passed several resolutions from 1972 to 1989, which
reflected the vision that terrorism could be prevented only by tackling the
underlying causes which give birth to terrorism. This was very clear from the
title of the resolution passed on December 18, 1972.
“No.3034 (XXVII) Measures to prevent international terrorism which endangers or
takes innocent human lives or jeopardizes fundamental freedom, and study of the
underlying causes of those forms of terrorism and acts of violence which lie in
misery, frustration, grievance and despair and which cause some people to
sacrifice human lives, including their own, in an attempt to effect radical
changes.”
13. The subsequent resolutions till Resolution 44/29 of December 4, 1989
retained the same title and reiterated that it was necessary to solve the
underlying causes.
14. The General Assembly also took a bold stand against state terrorism and
passed Resolution 39/159 on December 17, 1984. It stressed the inadmissibility
of the policy of state terrorism and reaffirmed the right of self-determination
and independence of the people.
15. We must revert to this vision which has become blurred since the end of cold
war and especially since the terrible tragedy of 9/11. The need to address the
underlying causes of terrorism cannot be ignored. Any comprehensive definition
of terrorism will need to include the phenomena of state terrorism and
distinguish it from the right of self-determination.
16. The international community should also continue its efforts to address
other political and socio-economic issues including developmental issues, and
HIV/AIDS.
17. We should expedite efforts to arrive at a consensual definition which
maintains a distinction between terrorism and the right of peoples for self
determination and to resist foreign occupation and alien domination. Such a
definition would lend legal clarity to our common struggle against terrorism and
prevent its abuse and the violation of human rights or other norms of
international law including international humanitarian law.
18. Finally, I would like to mention here the two pronged strategy of
Enlightened Moderation to overcome terrorism and prevent a clash of
civilizations proposed by President Musharraf and endorsed by the last Islamic
Summit in Malaysia. The plan involves, on the one hand, internal socio-economic
reform in the Muslim world and, on the other, active support from the major
powers to ensure political justice and socio-economic revival for all Islamic
peoples.
19. I would reiterate President Musharaf’s call to the major powers of the West
that he made in his statement to the General Assembly this year, ‘to show
movement, by seriously trying to resolve internationally recognized disputes
affecting the Muslim world’.
Mr. Chairman,
20. We believe if we all determine to work in a cooperative and harmonious way,
we can secure our world’s future.
Thank you.