Security Council

4384^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL LIFTS SANCTIONS AGAINST SUDAN

Adopts Resolution 1372 (2001) by 14 Votes with 1 Abstention (United States)

Noting the steps taken by the Government of the Sudan to comply with the provisions of Council resolutions, and welcoming the accession of the Sudan to the relevant international conventions for the elimination of terrorism, the Security Council this morning decided to terminate, with immediate effect, measures referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 of resolution 1054 (1996) and paragraph 3 of resolution 1070 (1996).

The Council took that action as it adopted resolution 1372 (2001) by a vote of 14 in favour and 1 abstention (United States).  The text was submitted by Bangladesh, Colombia, Jamaica, Mali, Mauritius, Singapore, Tunisia and Ukraine.

By the terms of resolution 1054 (paragraph 3), the Council had decided that all States should significantly reduce the number and level of their staff at Sudanese diplomatic missions and consular posts, as well as restrict or control the movement within their territory of all staff who remained.  States were also called on to take steps to restrict the entry into or transit through their territory of members of the Government of the Sudan, officials of that Government and members of the Sudanese armed forces.  Paragraph 4 of resolution 1054 called upon all international and regional organizations not to convene any conference in the Sudan.

By resolution 1070 of 1996 (paragraph 3), the Council had decided that all States should deny aircraft permission to take off from, land in, or overfly their territories if the craft was registered in the Sudan, owned, leased or operated by or on behalf of Sudan Airways, or by any undertaking which was substantially owned or controlled by Sudan Airways, the Government or the public authorities of the Sudan.

Speaking prior to adoption of resolution 1372 (2001), the representative of the Russian Federation said he was satisfied with the way in which the Sudanese Government had implemented the conditions of resolutions 1054 (1996) and 1070 (1996).  The Council was cognizant of the steps taken by the Sudan to rectify a situation that had led to the imposition of sanctions.  That country had also now completed its accession to all international anti-terrorist conventions.  Such conduct, carried out in good faith, had created the conditions for the gradual normalization of the Sudan's relations with neighbouring States and the region as a whole.

The representative of the United States said the Sudanese Government had taken substantial steps to meet demands set out in resolution 1054 (1996). However, information concerning suspects involved in the attempted assassination of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in 1995 had not been turned over by that Government to the appropriate authorities.  The suspects, however, were no longer thought to be in the Sudan, and he urged the authorities of all States to continue efforts to bring them to justice.  The Sudanese authorities were now engaged in serious discussions about ways to fight terrorism and he expected them to engage fully in that fight. 

He expressed his Government’s concern about the suffering of the Sudanese people and stated that human rights were still being abused in that country.  The United States would continue to demand that the Sudan address those issues.  In light of those concerns, his country had abstained in today’s vote.

The representative of the United Kingdom said the resolution adopted this morning sent a signal, and other States should take note of the example set by the Sudan.  The fact that the Sudanese Government had ratified the relevant international conventions for the elimination of terrorism was a clear signal of its intent.  The lifting of sanctions would allow the intensification of diplomatic activity towards progress in the peace process.

Ireland's representative said his Government had taken note of and welcomed steps taken by the Sudan to comply with resolutions 1054 (1996) and 1070 (1996).  As the requirements had been met, his Government agreed with the present resolution.  But he remained deeply concerned with the wider human rights situation in the Sudan.  He called for the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. 

The Sudan's representative said that today's decision was the fruit of enormous efforts by his country to cooperate with the international community.  The tenets of Sudanese foreign policy today aimed at enhancing international security.  One year had passed since the beginning of the debate on the lifting of these sanctions in the Council, during which many bilateral dialogues had taken place between the Sudan and Council members.  Those exercises had been constructive, useful and characterized by professional diplomacy, and would lay a solid foundation for wider cooperation in the future.

He assured the Council that the resolution just adopted was a strong impetus for his country to move forward, cooperate to eliminate terrorism and create a world where justice, peace and security reigned supreme.

The meeting began at 11:10 a.m and adjourned at 11:25 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1372 (2001) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its resolutions 1044 (1996) of 31 January 1996, 1054 (1996) of

26 April 1996 and 1070 (1996) of 16 August 1996,

“Noting the steps taken by the Government of the Sudan to comply with the provisions of resolutions 1044 (1996) and 1070 (1996),

“Noting in that respect the communications from the Permanent Representative of South Africa on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Permanent Representative of Algeria on behalf of the League of Arab States and the Permanent Representative of Gabon on behalf of the African Group (S/2000/521, S/2000/517 and S/2000/533), and from the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity dated 20 June 2000,

“Noting further the letter of the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, dated 5 June 2000, and the letter of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, dated 9 June 2000 supporting the lifting of sanctions imposed on the Republic of the Sudan,

“Noting also the contents of the letter dated 1 June 2000 from the Minister of External Relations of the Republic of the Sudan addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (S/2000/513),

“Welcoming the accession of the Republic of the Sudan to the relevant international conventions for the elimination of terrorism, its ratification of the 1997 International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombing and its signing of the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides to terminate, with immediate effect, the measures referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 of resolution 1054 (1996) and paragraph 3 of resolution 1070 (1996).”

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