Proposed New U.N. Sanctions on Taliban

Following is the text of the State Department Fact Sheet:

FACT SHEET

FURTHER MEASURES UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO END
THE THREAT POSED BY THE TALIBAN TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

THE TALIBAN'S RECORD ON UNSC RESOLUTION 1267 (1999)

-- Reaffirming the compelling need to suppress the threat of
terrorism, last year the Security Council unanimously passed
Resolution 1267 on 15 October 1999. The resolution deplored the fact
that the Taliban provides shelter to and supports and trains a large
number of international terrorists, including indicted terrorist Usama
bin Laden.

-- The Security Council imposed targeted sanctions on the Taliban and
demanded its leadership cease its support of terrorists and turn over
Usama bin Laden to a place where he would be brought to justice.

-- The Taliban continue to ignore UNSCR 1267. The Taliban leadership
has provided no indication that they intend to comply with the
resolution's obligations to stop supporting international terrorism.
While flouting the will of the international community, the Taliban
have campaigned for international recognition.

-- With the Taliban's active support, international terrorists attack
and perpetrate violence against States or their citizens, especially
for the purposes of fomenting instability in Central and South Asia.

-- The Taliban continue to harbor indicted terrorist Usama bin Laden.
Bin Laden, indicted for murder, continues to directly threaten several
nations of the world and poses a continuing threat to the
international community.

-- Furthermore, Afghan territory under Taliban control is now the
largest producer of opium in the world. The Taliban use illicit funds
from narcotics production and trafficking to provide further support
for international terrorism, and they continue a war effort that has
devastated the humanitarian conditions of the people of Afghanistan.

-- Taliban policies have aggravated the already abysmal social and
economic conditions of Afghanistan's people. The Taliban violate
international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly by
discriminating against women and girls.

-- UNSC Resolution 1267 - a ban on Ariana Afghan Airline flights
(except for humanitarian and religious purposes) and a freeze on
Taliban assets - was a limited step that needs reinforcement with
additional measures.

FURTHER MEASURES UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Because the Taliban have ignored their obligations under UNSC
Resolution 1267 and have continued to threaten international peace and
security, the Security Council will:

-- Demand the Taliban comply with Resolution 1267 and cease providing
training and support of international terrorists;

-- Insist the Taliban turn over indicted international terrorist Usama
bin Laden so he can be brought to justice;

-- Direct the Taliban to close all terrorist camps in Afghanistan
within 30 days.

Until the Taliban fully comply with their obligations under this
resolution and resolution 1267, the Security Council will:

-- Freeze the financial assets of Usama bin Laden;

-- Impose an arms embargo against the Taliban that includes a
prohibition on providing military weapons, training, or advice;

-- Close all Taliban offices overseas;

-- Urge Member States to reduce the staff at the limited number of
Taliban missions abroad;

-- Advise Member States to restrict travel of top Taliban officials
except for the purposes of participation in peace negotiations,
compliance with the resolution, or for humanitarian reasons including
religious obligations;

-- Ban the export to Afghan territory of a precursor chemical, acetic
anhydride, which is used to manufacture heroin;

-- Close all offices of Ariana Afghan Airlines and ban all
non-humanitarian assistance flights into and out of Afghanistan. Broad
exemptions are given to humanitarian flights operated by, or on behalf
of, non-governmental organizations and governmental relief agencies
providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

"SMART" SANCTIONS ADDRESS HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS

-- The Security Council recognizes the humanitarian needs of the
Afghan people and, therefore, has taken steps to strictly focus these
additional measures on the Taliban leadership and their ability to
fund and support international terrorism.

-- The measures are carefully crafted to avoid adverse humanitarian
consequences for the Afghan people, who have already suffered through
more than 20 years of war and the worst drought in a generation.

-- The Security Council provides adequate and effective exemptions to
avoid adverse humanitarian consequences on the people of Afghanistan.
It also structures the sanctions in a way that will not impede,
thwart, or delay the work of international humanitarian assistance
organizations or governmental relief agencies providing humanitarian
assistance to the civilian population in the country.

-- Accordingly, these "smart sanctions" minimize any possible
humanitarian impact. Where such impact could even be possible, the
Security Council directs that the broad humanitarian exemptions in
place, and that the potential humanitarian impact of these measures,
be assessed on a regular basis.

-- Together, the targeted sanctions along with the broad humanitarian
exemptions can reduce the threat to international peace and security
while at the same time avoid adverse consequences for the civilian
population of Afghanistan. Further, international humanitarian
assistance operations will continue unimpeded by these measures.

PARALLEL EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF PEACE AND STABILITY

-- There will be no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan,
and, therefore, the Security Council supports the initiative of
Secretary General Annan's personal envoy for Afghanistan, Francesc
Vendrell, to negotiate a cease-fire between the Taliban and the United
Front (Northern Alliance) as a first step in reaching a political
settlement to the conflict.

-- Despite these diplomatic efforts, the Taliban continue to threaten
international peace and stability with their support of international
terrorists, including Usama bin Laden. Accordingly, the Security
Council targets these sanctions to encourage Taliban compliance with
the Council's demand to end their support of international terrorists,
to close the terrorist camps, and to hand over international terrorist
Usama bin Laden.

-- The Security Council urges the Taliban to engage in peace
negotiations, and, therefore, under this sanctions regime the Security
Council supports Mr. Vendrell's efforts by providing ample exemptions
for the Taliban leadership to engage in these peace-making efforts.

-- Both efforts are to be conducted in parallel to bring peace and
stability to Afghanistan while at the same time to stop the Taliban's
support and promotion of international terrorism in the region and
elsewhere.