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UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001880 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER UNGA
SUBJECT: 61ST UNGA LAUNCHES GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM 
STRATEGY 
 
REF: USUN 01816 
 
¶1.  On September 19, the UN launched the "Global 
Counter-Terrorism Strategy" at a meeting chaired by General 
Assembly President Khalifa.  The "launch" attracted a number 
of Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors.  The strategy, called 
for in the 2005 World Summit Outcome document was the  result 
of several months of negotiations.  It sets forth a strategic 
framework for increased cooperation among member states, the 
UN Secretariat and other relevant international organizations 
to counter terrorist activities. 
 
¶2.  When the General Assembly adopted the Strategy on 
September 8, it decided to introduce the plan at a 
high-level meeting during  its sixty-first session.  GA 
President Sheikha Al Khalifa opened the program and called 
for states to translate their words into actions.  Deputy 
Secretary Mark Malloch Brown delivered a statement on behalf 
 
SIPDIS 
of the Secretary General which echoed that sentiment saying, 
"If future generations are to live in a world free from 
terrorism and its inhumane tactics, Member States must embark 
without delay on the journey they have mapped out so 
carefully; they must start translating their commitments into 
reality at once." Statements by the Ministers of Singapore 
and Spain, whose Permanent Representatives had chaired the 
negotiations, followed.  Finland (as EU President), Egypt, 
Israel, Turkey, Japan, Philippines, Lebanon, Switzerland, 
Australia (speaking as representative of the CANZ), the U.K., 
Yemen and the  Russian Federation also spoke. 
 
¶3.  Many of the statements stressed global cooperation, 
de-legitimization of the killing of civilians, and ensuring 
that the Strategy stayed a "living document" that could 
respond to future challenges.  All speakers mentioned the 
need to both ratify and enforce the various international 
anti-terrorism agreements. 
 
¶4.  The Finnish Foreign Minister said that the consensus 
adoption of the strategy sent a strong political signal which 
showed the Assembly's resolve to unite behind the shared goal 
of combating terrorism.  She also stressed that it is 
imperative that all measures against terrorism comply with 
international law.  The Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister said 
the launch of the CT Strategy was a landmark development that 
needed to be recognized by all. 
 
¶5.   The Egyptian Foreign Minister noted that the strategy 
would provide the UN with an opportunity to step out of a 
narrow perspective when dealing with international terrorism 
towards a global unified perspective.  He said that, 
"Undoubtedly, the convening of this high-level meeting 
responds to the initiative launched by President Hosni 
Mubarak to hold such a meeting under the auspices of the 
United Nations reaffirms the Egyptian vision that the success 
of national efforts to counter-terrorism is bound by vast 
international cooperation including the engagement of the 
United Nations and its main bodies......".  (Comment.  When 
asked later whether Egypt considered the strategy launch to 
be a substitute for the meeting they have proposed, the 
Egyptian Mission Legal Adviser said that was not their 
intention.  End Comment.) 
 
¶6.   For the most part, comments were general in nature and 
did not delve into detailed explanations of positions 
regarding elements of the document.  Only Israel singled out 
other countries by name (Iran and Syria) for criticism.  An 
attempt by Lebanon to reply to the Israeli comments was 
thwarted by the Chair who, having previously closed the 
speakers list, concluded the meeting. 
BOLTON