DATE=12/06/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N / TERRORISM (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-270120

BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations Security Council is calling for greater international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: The council held a special meeting to discuss the subject and, not surprisingly, all members strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms. The U-N chief legal officer, Hans Corell, told the council that international cooperation is indispensable if what he called "this cowardly form of violence" is to be eliminated.

United States representative Nancy Soderberg observed that economic sanctions can be an effective tool in fighting terrorism but that sanctions must be supported by the entire international community.

/// SODERBERG ACT ///

We have imposed sanctions against both those who have carried out acts of terror and those who have provided haven to terrorists. In doing this, we must re-commit ourselves to supporting those sanctions and to ensuring that member-states follow through with the commitments imposed on them by the Security Council.

/// END ACT ///

Tunisia's Ambassador Said Ben Mustapha said his nation condemns terrorism in all its manifestations. However, speaking through an English interpreter, Mr. Mustapha said terrorism should not be confused with legitimate struggles for self-determination.

/// MUSTAPHA / INTERPRETER ACT ///

We want to emphasize our commitment to the need to distinguish between terrorism and the legitimate fight of peoples subjected to occupation whose goal it is to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Mustapha's comment was widely viewed as a reference to the Palestinians.

The meeting ended with an official Security Council statement which condemned all acts of terrorism, "irrespective of motive, wherever and by whomever committed." (Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/EJB/JWH