(As delivered)

STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. SHINICHI KITAOKA
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN
AT THE PUBLIC MEETING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
ON THREATS TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY
CAUSED BY TERRORIST ACTS

19 July 2004

Mr. President,

The work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) is a matter of great interest to all the Member States of the United Nations, and I therefore would like to express our appreciation to you and the Security Council for providing interested States other than members with the opportunity to speak today. I would first like to express our appreciation to Ambassador Arias, the former Chairman of the CTC, for his distinguished service. I wish to congratulate Mr. Konuzin on assuming office as the new Chairman of the CTC, and at the same time I would like to thank him for his detailed presentation on the recent work of the CTC. I also would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Ruperez on taking up the post of Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) established in accordance with Security Council resolution 1535.

There can never be any justification whatsoever for terrorism, which takes the lives of innocent people, and we expect the CTC, under its new Chairman, and the CTED, under its Executive Director, to provide the international community with the leadership it needs to respond with effective counter-terrorism measures.

Mr. President,

I would like to make three points.

First, I wish to emphasize the importance of assistance for capacity-building. Providing assistance to enhance a Member State's counter-terrorism capacity not only helps to prevent acts of terrorism on its territory and contribute to its security and development but also contribute to maintaining the security and prosperity of the neighboring States and the region as a whole. For recipient States, establishing counter-terrorism measures and preventing terrorism are also important preconditions for development. We appreciate the priority that the CTC places on technical assistance. We hope that at the same time, through the planned visits by the CTC, it might endeavor to promote actual, appropriate technical assistance projects. We also believe that it is important for Member States to share information on terrorism. In the "Secure and Facilitated International Travel Initiative (SAFTI)" announced at the G-8 Summit Meeting in June this year, G-8 members will raise standards, modernize procedures, and exchange information in order to deter threats, reduce costs, and help ensure safe and efficient movement of passengers and cargo. Taking into account that such international cooperation is being undertaken, we think that it would be worthwhile for the CTC as well to consider setting up a forum for the CTC and other interested Member States to conduct a joint study on more effective counter-terrorism measures.

My Government provides counter-terrorism assistance especially to the countries of Southeast Asia, and it intends to strengthen such efforts. We are placing particular priority on three areas, namely, capacity-building of law enforcement organizations, preventing movement of terrorists across borders through stricter immigration control, and promoting accession to counter-terrorism-related international treaties and protocols. We also intend to continue our cooperation with counter-terrorism measures through official development assistance (ODA) and other means. For example, Japan recently decided to grant roughly 6.8 million U.S. dollars to Indonesia, in order to improve security at its air- and seaports. Also in June this year my Government hosted the Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting in Tokyo with a view to building cooperative relations among agencies and enabling them to share information on maritime security in the Asian region.

Next, in relation to my first point about the importance of capacity-building, we need to put more effort into preventive measures. If the terrorists of today have any weakness, it is the routes they use to procure weapons and funds, which we can cut off. To do this, however, it is necessary to put in place preventive measures based on international cooperation. In this regard, it is becoming more important to raise the standard with regard to the capabilities of States to combat terrorism by providing assistance for capacity-building. I wish to inform you that, together with the Malaysian Government, my Government this month hosted a seminar on the prevention of terrorism employing chemical weapons and managing crises in which they are used; this was the first cooperative program of the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) in Malaysia.

Third, my Government has high expectations for the organizational plan, which is expected to be submitted to the CTC by the end of this month, as its implementation will strengthen the counter-terrorism function of the CTC. On the other hand, upon establishment of a new structure, we request that the Executive Director of the CTED and the CTC create an efficient organization, one that avoids waste. We wish to reiterate that although Japan supports the revitalization of the CTC, that does not mean that expenditures for such purposes may be allowed to grow unrestrained. We also request that steps be taken to ensure transparency with regard to the sources of financing of the CTC's activities. In addition, it is important to enhance cooperation with the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee, in accordance with the CTC's work programme for the twelfth 90-day period (the third quarter of this year). We hope that the CTED will establish a strong working attitude that will further strengthen its cooperative relationship with related organizations such as the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee and concerned Member States.

Mr. President,

Although the CTC is going through a transitional period while it establishes the CTED, we would like to see the new organization begin full-scale operations as soon as possible. My Government wishes to cooperate in making that process a success. I would again like to express our appreciation for the dedication shown in this important period by Mr. Konuzin, Ambassador Ruperez, their outstanding staff, and the Committee secretariat and experts.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Related Information (Counter Terrorism)

Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations Official Web Site