H.E. MR. YOSHIYUKI MOTOMURA

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan

On the Occasion of the Security Council Meeting on the Threats to International Peace and Security Caused By Terrorist Acts

18 January 2002

Mr. President,

Allow me to thank you for organizing this debate on the activities of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), and allowing my government to present its views on this subject of obvious importance to all of us. May I also express Japan’s appreciation to Ambassador Navarrete of Mexico for his outstanding work in the Council, who we understand is attending a Council meeting for his last time today.

Let me also thank Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Chairman of the CTC, for his informative briefing as well as for the excellent manner in which he and the other members of the bureau have been conducting the work of the Committee. In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to express my government’s full support for the CTC's second 90-day work programme which has been distributed as Security Council document S/2002/67.

Mr. President,

Japan agrees with many of the points raised by the previous speakers. Also, as a member of the G8, the Government of Japan associates itself with the statement made by Ambassador Heinbecker of Canada—the current chair of the G8—describing the group's counter terrorism activities. However, I would also like to briefly touch upon some aspects of the CTC's activities to which Japan attaches particular importance.

I will not repeat Japan's basic position or describe the specific measures it has taken in the fight against terrorism, as these have been presented on various occasions including Council meetings. I would ask those delegations interested in more detailed information to refer to our report to the CTC on the implementation of resolution 1373, which is to be published as a Security Council document in due course.

Mr. President,

The fight against terrorism will not be successful unless the overall capability of the international community to respond to and suppress terrorism is upgraded. Thus, of utmost importance is international cooperation to help countries that are willing but unable to improve their counter-terrorism capabilities. From the numerous briefings conducted by Sir Jeremy Greenstock including is briefing today, we understand that the CTC is of the same view.

Japan hopes to play an active role in such cooperative efforts. As detailed in its report to the CTC on the implementation of resolution 1373, it maintains solid programs of bilateral assistance including training programs in counter-terrorism. Japan is committed to doubling the number of participants in such programs this year. If the need arises for various forms of assistance during the course of the implementation of resolution 1373 by Member States, my government is prepared to consider providing further assistance.

The activities of the CTC experts are critically important in ensuring the smooth implementation of resolution 1373. The Government of Japan looks forward to working with the six experts that have already been appointed, and is confident that if its own candidate, Mr. Toshihiko Tanaka is appointed as a CTC expert, he will make valuable contributions to the Committee’s work.

Mr. President,

Before I conclude, allow me to touch upon the situation in Afghanistan. Although the fight against terrorism can by no means be reduced to the single issue of Afghanistan, an important component of that fight is ensuring that Afghanistan is never again used as a safe-haven for international terrorists. It is our strong hope that the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan, which Japan is hosting in Tokyo next week with the active participation of the countries and international organizations concerned, will be an important step toward achieving that end by ensuring a stable and prosperous future for Afghanistan.