UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Statement by H.E. Mr John Dauth LVO Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts
New York 4 October 2002
Mr President
One year after the adoption of resolution 1373, the international community, the Security Council, and in particular the CTC under Ambassador Greenstock's energetic chairmanship, can take justified pride in what has been accomplished, particularly in putting in place the legislative framework to fight terrorism and suppress its financing.
But our work is beginning rather than ending. Terrorism remains a significant and evolving threat to international peace and security. Our defence against terrorism is only as strong as its weakest link. Much remains to be done by states individually, by regional groups and multilaterally. Universal fulfillment of obligations under 1373 must remain our key priority. National legislation needs to be strong and comprehensive. Adherence to all 12 anti-terrorism conventions needs to be global. And we need to ensure active implementation of legislation, assisted where necessary by strengthening the institutional capacities of those states where it is lacking.
Mr President
Australia is strongly committed to playing an energetic and creative role in the fight against terrorism. We take our obligations under Resolution 1373 with utmost seriousness. Australia is now a party to 11 of the 12 anti-terrorism conventions. Australia acceded to the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings this August, and ratified the Terrorism Financing Convention last month. We are actively considering our position with regard to the Convention on Marking of Plastic Explosives.
Within our own region, Australia continues to encourage greater cooperation to combat terrorism. As set out in detail in the Pacific Islands Forum statement, delivered by my colleague the distinguished Ambassador of Fiji, the Nasonini Declaration on Regional Security was adopted by the Pacific Islands Forum on 17 August 2002 and recognised the need for immediate and sustained regional action in response to terrorist threats. Australia also sponsored with the United States, New Zealand and the Forum Secretariat, a counter terrorism workshop for Pacific Island countries in March.
Australia and Indonesia announced in September that we will co-host a regional Conference on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, in December this year. The conference will augment and contribute to existing initiatives being undertaken by the CTC and other organisations. Australia and Indonesia believe that the meeting will enable countries in our region to strengthen further their individual efforts to prevent and counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism, particularly by identifying capacity-building needs to meet existing and new obligations.
Australia has also been active in the ASEAN Regional Forum context. Together with Thailand we chaired an ARF Workshop on Terrorism Prevention in Bangkok in April 2002. We were pleased to be part of the ASEAN Regional Forum's Declaration on Terrorist Financing at its Ministerial Meeting on 31 July 2002, as well as in the creation of an Intersessional Mechanism on Terrorism.
Mr President
In addition to these regional initiatives, we consider that bilateral cooperation between governments is also critical in combating terrorism, especially in the exchange of information and intelligence to identify terrorist threats at the earliest possible stage. Australia is seeking closer law enforcement cooperation with partners in our region and has negotiated MOUs on counter-terrorism cooperation with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Australia remains a very strong supporter of the CTC. We have provided an expert to the Committee, and have nominated three additional experts to be called upon by the Committee as required.
Mr President
As the CTC embarks on its second year, it can be assured of Australia's ongoing support. We will also continue to work vigorously within the UN and elsewhere to defeat international terrorism, and we encourage other states to do likewise.