press conference by Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate

on technical assistance meeting with west african states

 

The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) had held a successful informal meeting yesterday with West African States, donors and potential technical assistance providers, Sergey Karev, the Directorate’s Officer-in-Charge, said at a Headquarters press conference today.

He said that, during the meeting, West African States had provided information on their technical assistance needs for their implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and relevant provisions of the General Assembly’s 2006 Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.  Donors and international organizations had provided information on their programmes, as well as the availability of financial resources and expertise.

The three-year-old Directorate was established under resolution 1535 (2004) of the Security Council to enhance its Counter-Terrorism Committee’s ability to monitor implementation of resolution 1373 (2001), raise the counter-terrorism capacities of Member States by facilitating the provision of technical assistance, and promote closer cooperation and coordination with international, regional and subregional organizations.  Since September 2005, CTED’s mandate has also included monitoring implementation by Member States of Council resolution 1624 (2005) on incitement to commit acts of terrorism.

Mr. Karev said follow-up to yesterday’s meeting would evolve on two tracks.  The Directorate would prepare draft programmes for assistance to West African States, which would, in turn, remain in direct contact with donors and technical assistance providers.

Responding to a question about other regions, he said CTED had worked bilaterally with States for several years.  It did not provide direct assistance, but facilitated it in partnership with some 15 donor States and several international organizations.

Experience had shown the need for a regional approach, he said, pointing out that States in certain regions or subregions had problems in common, including, in West Africa’s case, porous borders, training and drafting of legislation.  Moreover, a regional approach saved time and money, while avoiding duplication.  The first regional meeting had involved the Pacific Island Forum States and the next one would be with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.

In response to other questions, he said the Directorate’s first mandate was to monitor implementation of Council resolutions and identify shortfalls.  It then reached agreement with the country concerned regarding its technical assistance needs.  CTED then tried to match those needs with donors -- after the country’s consent.  Technical assistance included help in drafting legislation, training law enforcement personnel and the provision of equipment, mainly on a bilateral level.

Asked about visits to Bangladesh and Indonesia, Mr. Karev said draft reports on those visits were being prepared.  According to procedure, they would be sent to the States concerned and their comments would, if deemed necessary, be incorporated into the report.  The report would then be considered and approved by the Counter-Terrorism Committee after which it would become an official document.

In response to another question, he said Somalia was not on a list of 10 countries provided to CTED by the Counter-Terrorism Committee.  Countries to be visited in the current year were Viet Nam, Armenia and Georgia, all of which had given the required consent.

As for CTED’s December “sunset” clause, he told another questioner that the Security Council would consider the Directorate’s future.  “It looks strange if we are not going to continue to exist at least next year and the year after.”  Whether the Directorate would remain in its present form or become something different was up to the Council.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record