UN outcry against attacks on US reflects longstanding opposition to terrorism

For five days -- from 1 to 5 October - the United Nations General Assembly held an intensive debate on international terrorism that had been moved up from its previously scheduled date to urgently address ways of combating the threat in the wake of the attacks against the United States. With representatives of over 160 countries taking part, the debate reflected a long-standing commitment of the UN to the fight against the menace.

Tremors from the devastating explosions at the World Trade Center on 11 September did not jolt the foundation of another famous New York landmark some 50 blocks north of ground zero - the United Nations complex. But the horrifying terrorist attack against the United States sent shock waves throughout the UN - from Secretariat offices to Member States' capitals - triggering an unprecedented outpouring of sympathy and support for the city and the country, a torrent of condemnation for the conspirators and a groundswell of resolve to bring them to justice.

But if the outcry was unprecedented, it was also wholly consistent with the UN's longstanding campaign to amass a legal arsenal in the fight against terrorism - an extensive set of international treaties designed to combat the menace in all its many forms - as well as the UN Security Council's determined engagement in the battle.

As the World Trade Center collapsed, staff members and diplomats were evacuated from the UN building, a symbolic Peace Bell ceremony was halted and the scheduled opening of the annual session of the General Assembly postponed. But the disruptions did not silence an immediate and resounding denunciation from Security Council members and Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who stressed the need to fight terrorism resolutely "wherever it appears."

In the days that followed, Mr. Annan reached out to the community on behalf of the United Nations, attending memorial services at local churches, mosques and synagogues, visiting the firehouse that protects the UN, and travelling to "ground zero" in lower Manhattan to offer condolences and support.

Members of the UN Security Council deplored the attack the day it occurred through their President, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte of France, who called the incidents in New York, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere "a tragedy for - and a challenge to - all humanity."

The global response manifested at the United Nations continued on 12 September, despite a security threat - punctuated by another evacuation - which led the world body to dismiss all 'non-essential' staff that day.

In an unprecedented gesture of unanimity, members of the Security Council stood up in the chamber to vote for a resolution condemning the massacres "unequivocally" and "in the strongest terms." The resolution also called on all States to work together urgently to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors, stressing that anyone who aids, supports or harbours them will be held accountable.

Later that afternoon, the UN General Assembly adopted the first resolution of its annual session, strongly condemning "the heinous acts of terrorism which have caused enormous loss of human life, destruction and damage in the cities of New York - host city of the United Nations - Washington, D.C. and elsewhere." The Assembly echoed the Council's position that "those responsible for aiding supporting or harbouring the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of such acts will be held accountable."

Addressing the Assembly session, the Secretary-General stressed that all nations of the world must be united in their solidarity with the victims of terrorism, as well as in their determination to take action, both against the terrorists themselves and against all those who give them any kind of shelter, assistance or encouragement.

United States Ambassador James Cunningham expressed gratitude for the sympathy extended to his country, and offered particular thanks to the Secretary-General for urging a firm and united response to the tragedy. Pointing to the UN's role in galvanizing countries from around the world, he said, "Together, we've demonstrated - here today in the historic hall of the General Assembly - that we are united and strong in the face of terror."

The following day, UN staff held a tribute to those affected by the attacks, packing the 2,000-capacity General Assembly hall to standing-room-only. In a concrete demonstration of their solidarity, the staff members - men and women from diverse regions and religious backgrounds - lined up to donate over $50,000 to a special UN relief fund which continues to receive contributions.

The actions of the Security Council, General Assembly and Secretary-General were consistent with the UN's long history of fighting terrorism. Mr. Annan has personally voiced outrage at numerous specific terrorist attacks from whatever quarter, while the Security Council has used its powers to work for the extradition of key suspected terrorists, including by imposing - some two years ago - tight sanctions against the Taliban pending their handover of Osama bin Laden.

The General Assembly, as the most universal UN body, has adopted numerous anti-terrorism treaties, seeking to cast a global net around all terrorists to force them out of hiding and into the hands of justice.

As early as 1963, the United Nations adopted the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft - the first of numerous treaties designed to make civilian air travel more secure. Similar pacts were crafted to cover maritime travel.

In 1997, the General Assembly adopted the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, followed, two years later, by the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

The UN's efforts have not stopped since. The General Assembly's 'Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism' - which drafted the treaties on terrorist bombings and financing - is now hard at work to elaborate separate conventions on the elimination of terrorism and on the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism.

Explaining the significance of these developments during a recent interview with UN TV, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament, Jayantha Dhanapala, observed that the treaties set legal norms "and they give us - civilized society - the moral right to act in the name of those laws."

In the weeks to come, the Member States of the General Assembly will resume their efforts to tackle terrorism, building on decades of discussion but with a new immediacy brought on by the recent attacks which, far from hampering the UN's work, have only heightened the international community's resolve to eradicate this deadly peril from all corners of the world.