The United Nations Security Council issued a presidential statement on Tuesday expressing deep concern about continued terrorist acts around the world and calling upon UN members to renew the level of solidarity demonstrated after the 9/11 attacks on the United States and to redouble their efforts in countering global terrorism.
The statement, which reflects the coordinated views of all 15 Security Council members, was read out by Croatian President Stjepan Mesić after a day-long thematic discussion on terrorism. Countries were called upon to bring to justice the perpetrators, accomplices and organisers of terrorist acts.
The statement stressed the central role of the United Nations in the global fight against terrorism and urged countries to join international conventions relating to terrorism. Countries were also called upon to strengthen cooperation in locating safe havens for terrorists and to arrest, prosecute or extradite people aiding and abetting in the financing, planning, preparation or execution of terrorist acts or in harbouring terrorists.
The presidential statement also said that the promotion and protection of human rights for all and the rule of law were crucial to an effective anti-terrorist strategy. The Security Council reminded states that they have to bring terrorism prevention measures into accord with their obligations under international law, particularly those relating to human rights, refugee rights and humanitarian law.
The Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, represents one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and said that all acts of terrorism are criminal and without justification, regardless of their motives.
On Tuesday, Croatian President Mesić met with former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who now serves as a foreign policy adviser to President-Elect Barack Obama. They discussed the situation in Southeast Europe and the need for its further stabilisation. Also discussed was Croatia's progress towards membership of NATO and the European Union, the process of accession of all Western Balkan countries to the EU and the US-EU partnership.