SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, CONDEMNS HOSTAGE-TAKING AT RUSSIAN FEDERATION SCHOOL, DEMANDS THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Security Council

5026^th Meeting (Night)

SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, CONDEMNS HOSTAGE-TAKING

AT RUSSIAN FEDERATIONSCHOOL, DEMANDS THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Security Council this evening condemned in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist act involving the taking of hostages at a secondary school in the town of Beslan, Russian Federation, and demanded the hostages’ immediate and unconditional release.

Through a presidential statement read out by its President for September, Juan Antonio Yáñez-Barnuevo (Spain), the Council also condemned in the strongest terms the other terrorist attacks committed recently against innocent civilians in Moscow and on two Russian airliners, in which many lives were claimed and people injured.

The Council expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the people and Government of the Russian Federation and to the victims of the terrorist acts and their families.

It urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001), to cooperate actively with the Russian authorities in their efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of those terrorist acts.

In a related provision, the Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestation constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The meeting was called to order at 8:23 p.m. and was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2004/31, reads as follows:

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist act involving the taking of hostages at a secondary school in the town of Beslan, the Russian Federation, on 1 September 2004, as well as other terrorist attacks committed recently against innocent civilians in Moscow and on two Russian airliners, in which many lives were claimed and people injured.

“The Security Council demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages of the terrorist attack.

“The Security Council expresses the deepest sympathy and condolences to the people and the Government of the Russian Federation and to the victims of the terrorist acts and their families.

“The Security Council urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001), to cooperate actively with the Russian authorities in their efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these terrorist acts.

“The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

“The Security Council expresses its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.”

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