UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S COUNTER-TERRORISM

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000141

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC PREL PTER
SUBJECT: UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S COUNTER-TERRORISM
IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE BRIEFS MEMBER STATES

REF: USUN 00096


1. Summary. At a February 17 briefing the Secretary
General and members of his Counter-Terrorism Implementation
Task Force (CTITF) reported to member states on progress in
implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
(A/RES/60/288) adopted last September. The CTITF also
introduced the UN Counter-Terrorism Online Handbook which can
be accessed through the UN Action Against Terrorism website.
End Summary.


2. General Assembly President Al Khalifa convened an
informal meeting of the General Assembly at which the
Secretary-General and representatives of his CTITF reported

SIPDIS
to member states on their recent activities. The US was
represented by Amb Wolff. Al Khalifa recalled that the
Strategy had identified ways by which the UN system could
provide technical assistance to help combat terrorism. She
noted that the government of Austria will hold a symposium in
Vienna from May 14-18 on CT Strategy implementation.


3. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that, "the fight
against terrorism is our common mission" and that adoption of
the Strategy had been an historic step forward and the UN
system has mobilized around the Strategy with vigor. The
CTITF brings together 24 entities within the UN system but
member states must take full ownership of the strategy. Ban
Ki-moon said that the CT on-line handbook, developed by his
team, is an easily accessible tool to link states with Task
Force activities. Task Force Chairman, Assistant Secretary
Robert Orr, introduced the web page, which is available at
http://www.un.org/terrorism/cthandbook. Orr said that this
initiative arose from the call in the Strategy for the CTITF
to "enhance coordination and coherence within the United
Nations system in promoting international cooperation in
countering terrorism". The handbook combines data from the
24 member Task Force to provide member states with current
and relevant information on the UN and its entities' work and
resources contributing to countering terrorism. Searches of
the site can be performed by using headings: theme,
geographic region, entity or keywords.


4. Chairmen of several of the CTITF's Working Groups also
reported on their activities. Richard Barrett, Chief of the
S.C. Res 1267 Monitoring Team, discussed efforts to address
the issue of "conditions conducive" to terrorism. He noted
that the reasons why people become terrorists differ widely,
and that subjectivity makes it a difficult topic to address.
The Working Group will, where appropriate bring together
national, international and non-governmental organization
efforts to determine what the UN can do to develop an
understanding of this issue. Jean Paul La Borde, UN Vienna
Center Terrorism Branch, discussed technical assistance. He
said that policy implementation must be supported by capacity
building. There must be monitoring and evaluation. Technical
assistance must address all facets and reach out to the
various actors. He noted that the online Handbook helps to
identify all of the technical assistance providers.


5. Best practices for preventing attacks were also
highlighted. The strategy of sharing best practices has been
promoted by the CTITF. INTERPOL, INICR, DPA, IMO CTED, ICAO
and UNDP have all been involved. Focus has been on three
themes: developing a mechanism for global exchange of Best
Practices, structural research, and assisting civilians
caught in conflict and disasters. Also briefing the group
was the New York Director of the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights. He said that the Strategy
ensures that counter-terrorism measures will be founded in
respect for human rights and the rule of law. He mentioned
the need to focus on the concerns of victims of terrorism.


6. Member states were not given an opportunity to speak at
this briefing. The General Assembly President concluded by
saying that she will continue to work with member states on
implementation of the Strategy. She said she was encouraged
by the positive spirit that had characterized the recently
concluded session of the Ad Hoc Committee negotiating the
Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and she
urged member states to complete the convention as soon as
possible.
WOLFF