Statement by

H. E. Dr. Javad Zarif

Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

before the Security Council

on “threat to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts”

New York, 20 February 2003

…………………………………

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. President,

May I thank you at the outset for convening this open debate on an issue of importance for all members of the international community. I also welcome the thoughtful statement by the Secretary-General and the comprehensive briefing presented by Ambassador Greenstock, the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) in the High-level meeting of the Security Council in combating terrorism on 20 January 2003.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a country that has immensely suffered from acts of terrorism, has a strong interest in the subject and is determined to leave no stone unturned in achieving the objectives set out in Security Council resolution 1373. In this process, we have thus far submitted the initial and supplementary reports to the Committee. With a view to implementing the resolution, my Government has established a National Coordination Committee to facilitate the implementation of the resolution. As a result, while many existing laws make terrorist acts punishable, two comprehensible draft legislations, namely anti-Terrorism Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act, are under consideration in the Cabinet and in the Parliament. The latter, In accordance with Security Council resolutions, aims to set out a legal and practical mechanism to effectively halt financial and other support to terrorist organizations and groups, while the former addresses the issue in all its other aspects. Pending their adoption and in conformity with the existing laws, practical arrangements have also been made to increase security in sensitive areas and enhance the anti money laundering mechanisms in the banking system.

Special measures, adopted right after the Sept. 11^th tragedy, along Iran’s long and porous eastern borders with a view to interdicting Al-Qaeda infiltration continue consistently. The Iranian law enforcement agencies are also engaged in extensive operations to arrest any suspected terrorists that might have entered Iranian territory from neighboring countries. As a result of such activities thus far several hundred foreign nationals suspected of being involved in terrorist activities have been arrested and consequently handed over to the governments of their countries of origin.

Mr. President,

Terrorism is a persistent menace that requires a continued global response. The tragic loss of life in terrorist attacks such as those that were committed in the past several months clearly demonstrates that success in countering this threat remains elusive. It underlines the need for continued and more extensive cooperation at the international level, which could be only possible and effective if the United Nations plays a central and coordinating role by setting effective international norms and by issuing a clear message on the unacceptability of acts of violence targeting civilians.

Undoubtedly, more cooperation on combating terrorism requires more understanding among nations and less tension and conflict. As the Secretary-General emphasized in this Council on 20 January 2003, “we must never lose sight of the fact that any sacrifice of freedom or the rule of law within States — or any generation of new tensions between States in the name of antiterrorism — will hand the terrorists a victory that no act of theirs alone could possibly bring.”

I should also caution against some attempts aimed at seeking to misuse the campaign against terror by denigrating and suppressing the legitimate right of peoples to self-determination. Undoubtedly such a misuse does not help to advance the fight against global terrorism.

Mr. President,

Before concluding, I would like to underline the necessity of addressing more seriously and in an institutionalized framework the strong links between terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. The Islamic Republic of Iran has suffered tremendously in combating drug trafficking emanating from Afghanistan. Today, in spite of the efforts of the Afghan government, drug trafficking continues to provide the financial backbone of terrorists and forces of instability in Afghanistan, threatening the impressive achievements of the international community and the Afghan people. Given the fact that drug trafficking is inseparable from terrorism and is being carried out by well-organized and equipped international gangs, enjoying connections in different continents, there should be no doubt that combating it goes beyond the resources of individual countries. In this context, the reference, in paragraph 4 of resolution 1373, to “the close connection between international terrorism and transnational organized crime and illicit drugs…”, among other things, and emphasis on “the need to enhance coordination of efforts on national, subregional, regional and international levels in order to strengthen a global response to this serious challenge and threat to international security” was a welcome development. We note that the CTC is yet to take actions with a view to implementing this paragraph of the resolution. It is our hope and expectation to see the Committee consider measures to address this important aspect of global terrorism as well.

Thank you Mr. President.