Security Council

5338^th Meeting (PM)

In Presidential Statement, Security Council reviews Counter-Terrorism Mechanisms

Wrapping up its scheduled consideration today of its worldwide anti-terrorism effort, the Security Council carried out a comprehensive review of that endeavour and evolved a number of conclusions, flowing from its reaffirmation that terrorism was one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

Through a presidential statement read out by its President for the month, Adam Thomson (United Kingdom) (document S/PRST/2005/64), the Council recalled its resolution 1535 (2004), by which it decided to establish a Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) as a special political mission under the policy guidance of its Counter-Terrorism Committee to enhance the Committee’s ability to monitor implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) and effectively continue the capacity-building work in which it was engaged.

Today, following that review, the Council endorsed the report of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (document S/2005/800), and welcomed the start that the CTED, operational on 15 December, had made on its objectives as set out in the revitalization process.

Recalling also that the CTED’s mandate flowed from that of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Council reaffirmed that the Committee had the sole responsibility for providing policy guidance to the CTED.  It also welcomed the fact that such guidance would be accompanied by implementation plans to enhance the Committee’s ability effectively to implement its mandate.  (The Committee was established to monitor implementation of resolution 1373 (2001), which called on Member States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, refrain from providing any support to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts, and deny safe haven to those who finance, plan, support and commit such acts.)

At the same time, the Council agreed with the Secretary-General and with the Counter-Terrorism Committee that there was a need to clarify the CTED’s reporting lines within the framework of resolution 1535 (2004) and welcomed the Secretary-General’s initiative in that regard.

In addition, the Council welcomed the integration into the work of the Committee of the issue of implementation by Member States of resolution 1624 (2005).  (That resolution, adopted on 14 September in a summit-level meeting, called for strengthened steps against terrorism, including that States adopt measures to:  prohibit by law incitement to commit a terrorist act; prevent such conduct; and deny safe haven to anyone about whom there is credible and relevant information giving serious reasons for considering that they have been guilty of such conduct.)

The meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. and was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The complete text of presidential statement S/PRST/2005/64 reads, as follows:

“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, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

“The Security Council recalls its resolution 1535 (2004) by which it decided to establish a Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (hereinafter “CTED”) as a special political mission under the policy guidance of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) to enhance the Committee’s ability to monitor implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) and effectively continue the capacity building work in which it was engaged.  At the same time, the Security Council decided to carry out a comprehensive review of CTED by 31 December 2005.

“During today’s consultations, the Security Council undertook this review and came to the following conclusions:

-- The Security Council endorsed the report prepared by the CTC and forwarded to the Council in S/2005/800 and agreed with its conclusions.

-- The Security Council noted that CTED had only been fully staffed since 6 September 2005 and welcomed the start that CTED had made on its objectives as set out in the revitalisation process.  It welcomed the fact that the CTC, in consultation with the Secretary-General, had decided to declare CTED operational on 15 December 2005.

-- The Security Council recalled that CTED’s mandate flows from that of the CTC and reaffirmed that the Committee has the sole responsibility for providing policy guidance to CTED.  It also welcomed the fact that such guidance would be accompanied by implementation plans to enhance the Committee’s ability effectively to implement its mandate.

-- The Security Council agreed with the Secretary-General and with the CTC that there is a need to clarify CTED’s reporting lines, within the framework of resolution 1535 (2004) and welcomed the Secretary-General’s initiative in this regard.  The Security Council expressed its readiness to work with him on this matter.

-- The Security Council welcomed the integration into the work of the CTC of the issue of implementation by Member States of resolution 1624 (2005).

“The Security Council decided to carry out another comprehensive review of CTED by 31 December 2006, prepared by the CTC.”

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For information media • not an official record