The Guardian (Lagos)
4 October 2001
Lagos — Humanity risks being annihilated if the international community fails to guard against weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists, Nigeria has warned.
Calling for a concerted effort to prevent nuclear, chemical and biological weapons from reaching terrorists organisations, Nigeria described terrorism as a violation of human rights and a threat to the stability of all societies.
"That is why the international community must be very determined and firm in their resolve to confront and defeat terrorists, their network and collaborators," Arthur Mbanefo, Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) said while contributing to a General Assembly debate on international terrorism in New York, United States (U.S.).
In this effort, Nigeria expressed support for a draft convention on nuclear terrorism proposed by Russia.
It therefore stressed the need for a comprehensive convention against international terrorism, saying that an initiative submitted by India should provide the basis for further consideration for such.
Mbanefo said that even though 12 sectoral and regional conventions on terrorism had already been adopted, there was wisdom in having a comprehensive one as demanded by the General Assembly.
"We believe that such a convention should be truly comprehensive, covering all aspects of terrorism as well as breaking new grounds," he stated.
Urging all member states that have not become parties to the existing anti-terrorist instruments to do so, he said Nigeria signed the last convention on the suppression of financing of terrorism and intends to revisit all international instruments on terrorism with a view to acceding to them.
The envoy urged the UN must continue to play a leading role in the anti-terrorist war, taking a cue from its declaration in 1994 that "actions of terrorists are criminal and cannot be justified by any circumstance or consideration be it political, philosophical, ideological, racial or ethnic."
He also called for an expanded network of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism whose perpetrators now employ more sophisticated strategies.
Noting that there was a link between terrorism and illicit trade in small arms, drug trafficking, money laundering and smuggling of precious stones, Mbanefo said dealing with these activities would require the exchange of information among UN member- states on the movement of those involved.
In addition, he said states have an obligation to prevent and suppress terrorism in their respective domains. "States should refrain from instigating, facilitating, encouraging, financing and organising terrorist activities or providing safe havens for terrorists and their organisations."
As part of the international response to terrorism, the envoy said there was need for a proposed conference on terrorism, declaring that Nigeria would want it organised at the level of heads of state and government and under the aegis of the UN.
In their various statements, most delegations condemned the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11 and stressed the need for international cooperation in dealing with the problem.
The Mayor of New York City, Rudolph Giuliani also addressed the General Assembly, calling for efforts by all UN members to consider the attacks on the U.S. as attacks on the values that the UN stands for.
The General Assembly is scheduled to debate the issue of terrorism for most of the week with more than 150-member states already inscribed to contribute to the debate.
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