Special Report: Osama Bin Laden Killed in U.S. Operation
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| Photo taken on May 2, 2011 shows a UN Security Council meeting on the death of Osama bin Laden in the UN headquarters in New York, the United States. The UN Security Council on Monday welcomed the news of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden's death as a "critical development" in the global anti-terror campaign, and "urges all States to remain vigilant in the fight against terrorism." (Xinhua/Bai Jie) |
by William M. Reilly
UNITED NATIONS, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Both the chief executive and the top legislative body of the United Nations on Monday welcomed the death of al-Qaeda founder and leader Osama bin Laden, regarded by many as a symbol of international terrorism.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said bin Laden's death was "a watershed moment in our common global fight against terrorism."
The UN Security Council hailed it as a "critical development" in the campaign against terrorism.
The world organization has been in the crosshairs of bin Laden, killed Sunday in a U.S. raid on his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and the terrorist ring he founded and led, al-Qaeda.
"The death of Osama bin Laden, announced (by U.S. President Barack Obama) last night, is a watershed moment in our common global fight against terrorism," Ban told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York. "The crimes of Al Qaeda touched most continents, bringing tragedy and loss of life to thousands of men, women and children," he added.
"This is a day to remember the victims and families of victims, " said Ban, mindful of the UN staffers who fell victims to terrorists. "The United Nations will continue to fight against terrorism and will lead this campaign to fight against terrorism."
Then, in the evening this month's president of the Security Council, French Ambassador Gerard Araud read out a Presidential Statement before the other 14 members of the panel, recalling "the heinous terrorist attacks which took place on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania and the other numerous attacks perpetrated by the network throughout the world."
"In this regard, the Security Council welcomes the news on May 1, 2011 that Osama bin Laden will never again be able to perpetrate such acts of terrorism, and reaffirms that terrorism can not and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or group," the presidential statement said.
"The Security Council recognizes this critical development and other accomplishments made in the fight against terrorism and urges all states to remain vigilant and intensity their efforts in the fight against terrorism," said the statement.
Al-Qaeda was suspected in the bombing of the Canal Hotel, UN headquarters in Baghdad, Aug. 19, 2003 which killed 22 people, including then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello, a well-liked rising star in the organization.
It marked the end of the world organization being free of fears of terrorist attacks because of its humanitarian and peacekeeping roles.
However, the "blind sheikh," Abdul Omar Rahman, who was believed to have ties with al-Qaeda, and was convicted in connection with the 1993 garage bombing of the World Trade Center, was also suspected of an alleged attempt to plant a bomb in the garage at UN headquarters in New York.
Al-Qaeda was also suspected of involvement in the alleged Islamic Maghreb kidnapping of Canadian diplomat Robert Fowler in Niger who was freed after months of captivity.
In a December 2004 report, the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change called for development of a comprehensive strategy to fight terrorism that addresses factors that facilitate terrorism, and strengthens the capacity of States and the rule of law, while also promoting fundamental human rights.
The panel said the United Nations should take a leading role in promoting such a comprehensive strategy.
Annan then proposed basic pillars to counter terrorism: dissuading groups from resorting to terrorism; denying terrorists the means to carry out an attack; deterring states from supporting terrorist groups; developing state capacity to prevent terrorism and defending human rights in the context of terrorism and counter- terrorism. It was a framework to help sustain the political will of state members of the United Nations to maintain the fight against terrorism on the global agenda. At the same time, it was also a practical framework to effectively assist states in their national, regional and global counter-terrorism efforts.
At a World Summit in September 2005, states agreed for the first time on a clear and unqualified condemnation of terrorism " in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes."
During the summit, world leaders welcomed the strategy put forward by the secretary- general and asked the UN General Assembly to further develop them with the aim of promoting comprehensive, coordinated and consistent responses at the national, regional and international level to counter terrorism.
The following year, member states held consultations on formulating a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy using the secretary-general's recommendations to adopt a Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy.
Recommendations developed refined each strategic pillar, while detailing existing UN activities and suggesting measures to strengthen and improve its work.
The report identified practical means not only for the United Nations but for the organization to help improve the individual and collective capacity of member states to fight terrorism.
In 2006 the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy was adopted.
It included 16 measures to prevent and combat terrorism, made 13 proposals to build states' capacity to prevent and combat terrorism and to strengthen the role of the UN system in this regard and had eight measures to ensure respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as the fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism.
Related:
Osama bin Laden killed in Pakistan
ABBOTTABAD, Pakistan, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden was killed in a pre-dawn U.S. special force raid on his compound in Pakistani city of Abbottabad near the capital Islamabad, Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Monday.
The Foreign Ministry confirmation came shortly after U.S. President Barrack Obama declared the Al-Qaida chief dead. Full story
China says Bin Laden's death "milestone" for int'l anti-terrorism efforts
BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China said here Monday evening that the death of Osama bin Laden was a milestone and a positive development for the international anti-terrorism efforts.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the remarks when asked to comment on the killing of the al-Qaida leader. Full story
Editor: Xiong Tong
BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China said here Monday evening that the death of Osama bin Laden was a milestone and a positive development for the international anti-terrorism efforts.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the remarks when asked to comment on the killing of the al-Qaida leader. Full story
Editor: Xiong Tong
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