VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0913/01 2872241
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 142241Z OCT 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7350

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000913 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PTER UNGA
SUBJECT: SIXTH COMMITTEE: GENERAL DEBATE CONCLUDES ON 
ELIMINATION OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM 
 
REF: STATE 104391 
 
¶1. Summary: General Debate on Measures to Eliminate 
International Terrorism began on October 6 and concluded on 
October 9 with over 70 Member States (including the United 
States) expressing their views on the subject.  Debate 
focused mostly on the conclusion of the Comprehensive 
Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), with many 
countries calling for an international code of conduct, a 
high level conference on terrorism, and a definition of 
international terrorism to include a distinction between 
terrorism and resistance to foreign occupation.  Some Member 
States, including the EU, proposed moving forward with the 
Coordinator's 2007 text.  Once again, Cuba and Venezuela both 
broached the Luis Posada-Carriles issue (reftel).  Many 
countries referred to the speeches of the heads of their 
respective regional organizations: Syria for OIC, Iran for 
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Sweden for the EU, Tunisia for 
the African Group, Mexico for the RIO Group, and Trinidad and 
Tobago for CARICOM.  Working Group and Bilateral discussions 
continue the week of October 12.  End Summary. 
 
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ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC) 
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¶2. Ambassador Bashar Jaafari of Syria, speaking on behalf of 
the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), called for a 
better definition of terrorism and a clear distinction in the 
CCIT between terrorism and groups resisting foreign 
occupation in accordance with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, 
International Law, and International Humanitarian Law.  He 
also supported a comprehensive strategy addressing the root 
causes of terrorism and an international counter-terrorism 
code of conduct.  The OIC endorsed Egypt's proposal for a 
high level conference on international terrorism and the 
proposal for a U.N. office to combat international terrorism 
in Saudi Arabia.  (COMMENT: Although every OIC country began 
by endorsing Syria's speech on behalf of the OIC, several 
moderates (Morocco, Jordan, and Tunisia) expressed a 
willingness to compromise (e.g. Tunisia stating "differences 
can be overcome" and Jordan saying that the 2007 text merited 
serious consideration) in their statements showing that the 
OIC may not be completely united in its policy towards the 
CCIT.  END COMMENT). 
 
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NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT (NAM) 
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¶3. Iranian Ambassador Eshagh Al Habib, representing the 
Non-Aligned Movement, also advocated for an international 
code of conduct and for the speedy adoption of the CCIT.  He 
supported defining terrorism to "end ambiguities," and 
distinguishing between terrorism and peoples' right to 
self-determination.  NAM believes that terrorism should not 
be associated with any religion or nationality. 
 
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AFRICAN GROUP 
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¶4. Tunisia, on behalf of the African Group, said that the 
CCIT should cover all types of terrorism, including state 
terrorism and should differentiate terrorism from resistance 
to foreign occupation.  The African Group said that the 
United Nations needs to address the root causes of 
international terrorism and that the Security Council 
sanctions committees need to streamline listing and delisting 
procedures.  As with the OIC and the NAM, the African Group 
backed the proposal for a high level conference on terrorism 
as well as a definition of terrorism. 
 
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RIO GROUP 
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¶5. Mexico, representing the Rio Group, urged Member States to 
build on the efforts of the 13th Session of the Ad Hoc 
Committee and conclude the CCIT, noting that "we will have to 
accept the fact that the only possible text is one that will 
not be the best option for any particular delegation."   The 
Rio Group noted that the Counter Terrorism Implementation 
Task Force (CTITF) should be institutionalized within the 
Secretariat to afford the Member States more interaction and 
input. 
 
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EUROPEAN UNION 
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¶6. Sweden's Hilding Lundkvist, speaking on behalf of the 
E.U., commented that the coordinator's 2007 package proposal 
 
 
for the CCIT required serious consideration.  With regard to 
a high level conference on international terrorism, the E.U. 
said that it should only be considered once the CCIT has been 
concluded.  He reaffirmed the importance of the CTITF and 
called for Member States to provide it with budgetary and 
administrative resources. 
 
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OTHER SPEECHES 
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¶7. Chinese Ambassador Liu Zhenmin highlighted China's efforts 
to eliminate terrorism such as the ratification of eleven 
conventions against terrorism and through regional frameworks 
like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Combating 
Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism.  He urged the 
international community to cooperate and push forward on 
concluding the CCIT.  China supports a high level conference 
on terrorism when the conditions are "ripe." 
 
¶8. The Russian Federation called for strengthening regional 
cooperation and promoting national measures in combating 
international terrorism.  He recommended reaching a consensus 
on the CCIT.  USG delivered statement using points provided 
in reftel, which made clear USG preference for 2002 
Coordinator's text of Article 18.  (Comment: Text of 
statement as delivered has been emailed to the Dept.  End 
Comment) 
 
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POSADA CASE 
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In Cuba's statement on Measures to Eliminate International 
Terrorism, Ambassador Rodolfo Benitez criticized the United 
States for allowing "terrorist" Luis Posada Carriles to roam 
free in Miami while at the same time imprisoning five Cuban 
"heroes."  In her statement, USUN LegOff used talking points 
from reftel to reply.  Later, Venezuela, in its statement 
also disparaged the United States over Posada claiming that 
CIA and FBI documents recently released prove Posada's guilt, 
including his confession.  Later, Cuba exercised its right of 
reply to reiterate Venezuela's comments. 
RICE