UNSC: SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS PRESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001222 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC PTER SUBJECT: UNSC: SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON BHUTTO ASSASSINATION ¶1. (U) The Security Council December 27 adopted a Presidential Statement (PRST) condemning the December 27 terrorist attack by extremists that caused the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and others. The statement also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Bhutto, called on all Pakistanis to exercise restraint and to maintain stability in the country, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of the reprehensible act of terrorism to justice. ¶2. (U) The draft text, authored by the Italian presidency, was debated for more than an hour by the Council prior to its adoption. In the end, a preference by some delegations, including the U.S., for additional language honoring Mrs. Bhutto,s commitment to democracy and the rule of law for which she lost her life, yielded to the importance of an immediate Security Council response to her assassination. The Secretary General, who issued his own statement on the assassination, was present in the Council for the adoption of the PRST as were several members of the Pakistan Mission to the UN. ¶3. (U) Begin Text of Statement of the President of the Security Council (S/PRST/2007/50): The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist suicide attack by extremists that occurred in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on 27 December 2007, causing the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and numerous other casualties, and expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of this heinous act of terrorism and their families, and to the people and Government of Pakistan. The Security Council pays tribute to former Prime Minister Bhutto. The Security Council calls on all Pakistanis to exercise restraint and maintain stability in the country. The Security Council underlines the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice, and urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and resolution 1373 (2001) and consistent with resolution 1624 (2005),to cooperate actively with the Pakistani authorities in this regard. The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. The Security Council further reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. The Council reminds States that they must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. The Security Council reiterates its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations. End Text Khalilzad