Security Council

4667^th Meeting (PM)

COUNCIL VOTES TO CONDEMN TERRORIST ATTACK IN KENYA, AS IT ADOPTS

RESOLUTION 1450 (2002) BY VOTE OF 14-1

In a vote this afternoon of 14 in favour to 1 against (Syria), the Security Council adopted a resolution condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist bomb attack on the Paradise Hotel in Kikambala, Kenya, and the attempted missile attack on Arkia Israeli Airlines flight 582 departing Mombassa, Kenya, on 28 November.

By the terms of resolution 1450 (2002), sponsored by the United States, the Council also condemned other recent acts of international terrorism in various countries, regarding them, like any act of international terrorism, as a threat to international peace and security.

Deploring the 2 December and 8 December claims by Al Qaeda of responsibility for the terrorist acts in Kenya, the Council urged all States to cooperate in efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of the attacks.  It also expressed the deepest sympathy and condolences to the people and governments of Kenya and Israel and to the victims of the terrorist attack and their families.

Explaining his delegation's position before the Council took action on the text, the representative of Syria said he would vote against it because the sponsor insisted on language that deviated from the main purpose of such a resolution, which was to condemn the terrorist act perpetrated in Kikambala, which had led to the deaths of civilians.

Pointing out that his country had supported resolutions 1438 (2002) and 1440 (2002), which condemned the tragic events in Bali and Moscow, he said Syria had wished for the unanimous adoption of a similar text on the events perpetrated in Kenya.  Instead, the scope of that resolution had been expanded to include elements that implied direct intervention in the internal affairs of the country where the events had taken place and in view of the unacceptable references reflecting negatively on the situation in the Middle East and the occupied Palestinian territories.

He emphasized Syria’s unreserved condemnation of the terrorist act perpetrated in Kikambala and reaffirmed his country's solidarity with the people of Kenya.  Syria reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and reaffirmed its commitment to resolution 1373 (2001), as well as its commitment to combat international terrorism.  Syria would vote against the resolution because it could not accept the repeated mention of Israel in the text.

The meeting, which began at 3:39 p.m., adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

Resolution

Following is the full text of Security Council resolution 1450 (2002):

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant resolutions, in particular its resolution 1189 (1998)   of 13 August 1998, resolution 1269 of 19 October 1999, resolution 1368 (2001)    of 12 September 2001 (2001), resolution 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001,

“Recalling the obligations of State parties to the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation,

“Deploring the 2 December and 8 December 2002 claims of responsibility by Al-Qaida for the acts of terror perpetrated in Kenya on 28 November 2002, and reaffirming the obligations of all States in resolution 1390 (2002) of 28 January 2002,

“Reaffirming 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,

“1.Condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist bomb attack at the Paradise Hotel, in Kikambala, Kenya, and the attempted missile attack on Arkia Israeli Airlines flight 582 departing Mombasa, Kenya, on 28 November 2002, as well as other recent terrorist acts in various countries, and regards such acts, like any act of international terrorism, as a threat to international peace and security;

“2.Expresses the deepest sympathy and condolences to the people and the Governments of Kenya and Israel and to the victims of the terrorist attack and their families;

“3.Urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001), to cooperate in efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these terrorist attacks;

“4.Expresses its reinforced determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.”

* *** *