DRUGS AND TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME:

UNCLAS STATE 016781 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC XA XY UNCND UNIDCP SNAR SUBJECT: DRUGS AND TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME: INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADOPTION OF UN PRST FEBRUARY 24, 2010 ¶1. USUN is instructed to join consensus on the UN Security Council Presidential Statement (PRST) on drugs and transnational organized crime. USUN should refer any further substantive changes on the PRST to the Department prior to joining consensus for adoption. End action request. ¶2. Begin text: ¶1. The Security Council reaffirms its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. ¶2. The Security Council notes with concern the serious threats posed in some cases by drug trafficking and transnational organized crime to international security in different regions of the world. These transnational threats are a source of growing concern. ¶3. The Security Council, in this context, further notes with concern the increasing link, in some cases, between drug trafficking and the financing of terrorism, including through the use of proceeds derived from illicit cultivation, production of and trafficking in narcotic drugs and their precursors, as well as illegal arms trafficking. ¶4. The Security Council notes that these transnational crimes may threaten the security of countries on its agenda, including post-conflict states, and expresses its intention to consider such threats, as appropriate. ¶5. The Security Council notes with concern that drug trafficking and transnational organized crime contribute to undermine the authority of states. ¶6. The Security Council notes that, in a globalized society, organized crime groups and networks, better equipped with new information and communication technologies, are becoming more diversified and connected in their illicit operations, which in some cases may aggravate threats to international security. In this context, the Council expresses concern at the increase in incidences of kidnapping and hostage-taking, in some areas of the world with a specific political context, with the aim of raising funds or gaining political concessions. The development of cybercrime is another particular source of concern. ¶7. The Security Council calls upon Member States to increase international and regional cooperation, on the basis of a common and shared responsibility, as well as their cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Narcotic Control Board, in order to counter the illicit production of, demand for and trafficking in drugs, and to identify emerging trends in drug trafficking. It welcomes relevant initiatives such as the Paris Pact. The Council also encourages Member States to undertake further action, as well as to consider, on the basis of concrete proposals by UNODC and INCB, through the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, possible new international initiatives aimed at strengthening the combat against illicit trafficking in chemical precursors. ¶8. The Security Council encourages the coordination of United Nations actions, including those of its agencies, funds and programmes, in order to enhance the effectiveness of appropriate international efforts. ¶9. The Security Council reaffirms and commends the important work of UNODC in collaboration with other relevant entities of the United Nations. ¶10. The Security Council encourages States to strengthen international, regional and sub-regional cooperation to counter drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, terrorism and corruption and to investigate and prosecute, as appropriate, persons and entities responsible for these crimes consistent with international law. Through compliance with their obligations under international law, including the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, States can help strengthen international peace and security. The Council notes relevant international conventions such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, the United Nations Convention against Transnational organized crime of 2000 and the Protocols thereto, the United Nations Convention against Corruption of 2003 and the relevant international conventions and protocols related to terrorism. ¶11. The Security Council expresses its concern about the number of victims caused by acts of terrorism in various regions of the world. The Council further reiterates that acts, methods and practices of terrorism, as well as knowingly financing, planning and inciting terrorist acts, are contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The Council calls upon States to continue to condemn in the strongest terms all terrorist acts, irrespective of their motivation, whenever and by whomsoever committed, as well as the incitement of terrorism. ¶12. The Security Council invites the Secretary-General to consider these threats as a factor in conflict prevention strategies, conflict analysis, integrated missions, assessment and planning and to consider including in his reports, as appropriate, analysis on the role played by these threats in situations on its agenda. ¶13. The Security Council welcomes further briefings, as necessary, on a more regular basis, by the Executive Director of UNODC. CLINTON