SIXTH COMMITTEE: GENERAL DEBATE CONCLUDES ON

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000913 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER UNGA SUBJECT: SIXTH COMMITTEE: GENERAL DEBATE CONCLUDES ON ELIMINATION OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM REF: STATE 104391 ¶1. Summary: General Debate on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism began on October 6 and concluded on October 9 with over 70 Member States (including the United States) expressing their views on the subject. Debate focused mostly on the conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT),with many countries calling for an international code of conduct, a high level conference on terrorism, and a definition of international terrorism to include a distinction between terrorism and resistance to foreign occupation. Some Member States, including the EU, proposed moving forward with the Coordinator's 2007 text. Once again, Cuba and Venezuela both broached the Luis Posada-Carriles issue (reftel). Many countries referred to the speeches of the heads of their respective regional organizations: Syria for OIC, Iran for Non-Aligned Movement (NAM),Sweden for the EU, Tunisia for the African Group, Mexico for the RIO Group, and Trinidad and Tobago for CARICOM. Working Group and Bilateral discussions continue the week of October 12. End Summary. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. Ambassador Bashar Jaafari of Syria, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC),called for a better definition of terrorism and a clear distinction in the CCIT between terrorism and groups resisting foreign occupation in accordance with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, International Law, and International Humanitarian Law. He also supported a comprehensive strategy addressing the root causes of terrorism and an international counter-terrorism code of conduct. The OIC endorsed Egypt's proposal for a high level conference on international terrorism and the proposal for a U.N. office to combat international terrorism in Saudi Arabia. (COMMENT: Although every OIC country began by endorsing Syria's speech on behalf of the OIC, several moderates (Morocco, Jordan, and Tunisia) expressed a willingness to compromise (e.g. Tunisia stating "differences can be overcome" and Jordan saying that the 2007 text merited serious consideration) in their statements showing that the OIC may not be completely united in its policy towards the CCIT. END COMMENT). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT (NAM) �0A;- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. Iranian Ambassador Eshagh Al Habib, representing the Non-Aligned Movement, also advocated for an international code of conduct and for the speedy adoption of the CCIT. He supported defining terrorism to "end ambiguities," and distinguishing between terrorism and peoples' right to self-determination. NAM believes that terrorism should not be associated with any religion or nationality. - - - - - - - - AFRICAN GROUP - - - - - - - - ¶4. Tunisia, on behalf of the African Group, said that the CCIT should cover all types of terrorism, including state terrorism and should differentiate terrorism from resistance to foreign occupation. The African Group said that the United Nations needs to address the root causes of international terrorism and that the Security Council sanctions committees need to streamline listing and delisting procedures. As with the OIC and the NAM, the African Group backed the proposal for a high level conference on terrorism as well as a definition of terrorism. - - - - - RIO GROUP - - - - - ¶5. Mexico, representing the Rio Group, urged Member States to build on the efforts of the 13th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee and conclude the CCIT, noting that "we will have to accept the fact that the only possible text is one that will not be the best option for any particular delegation." The Rio Group noted that the Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) should be institutionalized within the Secretariat to afford the Member States more interaction and input. - - - - - - - - EUROPEAN UNION - - - - - - - - ¶6. Sweden's Hilding Lundkvist, speaking on behalf of the E.U., commented that the coordinator's 2007 package proposal for the CCIT required serious consideration. With regard to a high level conference on international terrorism, the E.U. said that it should only be considered once the CCIT has been concluded. He reaffirmed the importance of the CTITF and called for Member States to provide it with budgetary and administrative resources. - - - - - - - - OTHER SPEECHES - - - - - - - - ¶7. Chinese Ambassador Liu Zhenmin highlighted China's efforts to eliminate terrorism such as the ratification of eleven conventions against terrorism and through regional frameworks like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Combating Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism. He urged the international community to cooperate and push forward on concluding the CCIT. China supports a high level conference on terrorism when the conditions are "ripe." ¶8. The Russian Federation called for strengthening regional cooperation and promoting national measures in combating international terrorism. He recommended reaching a consensus on the CCIT. USG delivered statement using points provided in reftel, which made clear USG preference for 2002 Coordinator's text of Article 18. (Comment: Text of statement as delivered has been emailed to the Dept. End Comment) - - - - - - POSADA CASE - - - - - - In Cuba's statement on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, Ambassador Rodolfo Benitez criticized the United States for allowing "terrorist" Luis Posada Carriles to roam free in Miami while at the same time imprisoning five Cuban "heroes." In her statement, USUN LegOff used talking points from reftel to reply. Later, Venezuela, in its statement also disparaged the United States over Posada claiming that CIA and FBI documents recently released prove Posada's guilt, including his confession. Later, Cuba exercised its right of reply to reiterate Venezuela's comments. RICE