Annan to Visit Jordan Tomorrow Following Attacks

Annan to Visit Jordan Tomorrow Following Terrorist Suicide Attacks

New York, Nov 10 2005 11:00AM

Secretary-General Kofi Annan will go to Amman, Jordan, tomorrow to confer with King Abdullah II and UN staff following the terrorist suicide bombings on three hotels there that killed scores of people and injured more than 100 others.

Mr. Annan, who is at present on a Middle East tour, was scheduled to visit the Jordanian capital today, but the trip was postponed following last night’s attacks.

The Security Council today called on all states to help bring the perpetrators behind the attacks to justice and reiterated its determination to combat all forms of terrorism in accordance with its responsibilities under the UN Charter..

“The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” the 15-member body said in a Presidential Statement.

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist bombings that took place in Amman, Jordan on 9 November 2005, which fell victim to a yet another heinous act of terrorism,” it added in a statement read out at the session by Ambassador Andrey Denisov of Russia, which holds the rotating Council presidency for November.

The Council underlined “the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these intolerable acts to justice,” and urged all States to cooperate with and provide support and assistance, as appropriate, to the Government of Jordan.

“The Security Council further reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts,” the statement added.

The President of the General Assembly, Jan Eliasson of Sweden, opened today’s proceedings with by paying tribute to “all those affected by the abhorrent terrorist attacks.

“Theses attacks are a further stark reminder of the importance and urgency of the work we are doing to adopt a Comprehensive Convention on Terrorism,” he added.

In a message last night, Mr. Annan also reiterated his longstanding call for the adoption of a comprehensive international treaty to fight the scourge of terrorism.

ENDS

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