United Nations

Security Council Imposes Wide New Measures against Taliban
Authorities in Afghanistan, Demands Action on Terrorism

Resolution 1333 (2000) Calls for Closure of Training Camps,
End to Provision of Sanctuary; Ban Imposed on Military Assistance

NEW YORK, 19 December (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council demanded this afternoon that Afghanistan's Taliban authorities act swiftly to close all camps where terrorists are trained in the territory under their control and called for confirmation of such closures by the United Nations.

Adopting resolution 1333 (2000) by a vote of 13 in favour to none against, with two abstentions (China and Malaysia), the Council demanded that the Taliban cease the provision of sanctuary and training for international terrorists and their organizations, ensure the territory under their control was not used for terrorist installations and camps, and cooperate with international efforts to bring indicted terrorists to justice. It demanded also that the Taliban turn over Usama bin Laden to appropriate authorities in a country where he had been indicted, where he would be returned to such a country, or where he would be arrested and effectively brought to justice.

By other terms of the resolution, which had 26 operative provisions, the Council decided that all States shall:

-- prevent the supply, sale and transfer of arms and related materiel, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts to the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control as designated by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), by their nationals or from their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft;

-- prevent the supply, sale and transfer to the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control as designated by the Committee of technical advice, assistance, or training related to the military activities of Taliban armed personnel; and

-- withdraw any of their officials, agents, advisers and military personnel present in Afghanistan to advise the Taliban on military or related security matters.

Also by the text, the Council decided that those measures shall not apply to supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance or training, as approved in advance by the Committee.

The Council decided, by other terms, that all States shall take further measures to:

-- close immediately and completely all Taliban offices in their territories;

-- close immediately all offices of Ariana Afghan Airlines in their territories; and

-- freeze without delay funds and other financial assets of Usama bin Laden and individuals and entities associated with him as designated by the Committee, including those in the Al-Qaida organization, and including funds derived or generated from property owned or controlled by Usama bin Laden and associated individuals and entities.

By further terms, the Council decided also that all States were required to deny any aircraft permission to take off from, land in or over-fly their territories if that aircraft had taken off from, or was destined to land at, a place in the territory of Afghanistan designated by the Committee as being under Taliban control, unless the particular flight had been approved in advance by the Committee on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligations such as the performance of the Hajj, or on the grounds that the flight promoted discussion of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan, or was likely to promote Taliban compliance with resolution 1333 (2000) or resolution 1267 (1999).

Also by the text, the Council decided further that the Committee shall maintain a list of approved organizations and government relief agencies providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including the United Nations and its agencies, government relief agencies providing humanitarian assistance, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and non-governmental organizations.

It urged States to restrict the entry into or transit through their territory of all senior officials of the rank of Deputy Minister or higher in the Taliban, the equivalent rank of armed personnel under Taliban control, and other senior Taliban advisers and dignitaries, unless they were travelling for humanitarian purposes, including religious obligation, or where travel promoted discussion of a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan or involved compliance with resolutions 1333 (2000) and 1267 (1999).

The Council demanded that the Taliban, as well as others, halt all illegal drugs activities and work to virtually eliminate the illicit cultivation of opium poppy, the proceeds of which financed Taliban terrorist activities. It decided that all States shall prevent the sale, supply or transfer, by their nationals or from their territories, of the chemical ascetic anhydride to any person in the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban.

By other terms, the Council requested the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Committee, to appoint a committee of experts to recommend to the Council within 60 days of the adoption of resolution 1333 (2000) how the arms embargo and the closure of terrorist training camps could be monitored, including the use of information obtained by Member States through their national means and provided by them to the Secretary-General.

Speaking before adoption of the text, the United States representative said that as long as the Taliban continued to harbour terrorists -- in particular Usama bin Laden -- and to promote terrorism, it remained a threat to international peace and security. The sanctions were tough but they were targeted. Her country, which was the biggest donor to Afghanistan, would continue to help meet the Afghan people's humanitarian needs while targeting the Taliban leadership. The Council must send an unequivocal message to the Taliban to end its support for terrorism. "Let us hope they heed the call", she said.

The representatives of Malaysia and China, explaining their abstentions, expressed concern that the Afghan people would suffer from the measures proposed in the resolution.

Statements before the vote were also made by the representatives of the Netherlands, United Kingdom, France and Ukraine.

Statements were also made after the vote by the representatives of Canada and the Russian Federation. The representative of Afghanistan also spoke.

The meeting, which began at 4:38 p.m., was adjourned at 5:36 p.m.

Council Work Programme

The Security Council met this afternoon to consider the situation in Afghanistan.

The Council had before it the following draft resolution (document S/2000/1202), sponsored by India, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan and the United States:

"The Security Council,

"Reaffirming its previous resolutions, in particular resolution 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999 and the statements of its President on the situation in Afghanistan,

"Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, and its respect for Afghanistan’s cultural and historical heritage,

"Recognizing the critical humanitarian needs of the Afghan people,

"Supporting the efforts of the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan to advance a peace process through political negotiations between the Afghan parties aimed at the establishment of a broad-based, multi-ethnic, and fully representative government, and calling for the warring factions to cooperate fully with those efforts to conclude a ceasefire and begin discussions leading to a political settlement, by moving forward promptly in the process of dialogue to which they have committed themselves,

"Noting the December 2000 meeting of the Afghan Support Group which emphasized that the situation in Afghanistan is a complex one that requires a comprehensive, integrated approach to a peace process and issues of narcotics trafficking, terrorism, human rights, and international humanitarian and development aid,

"Recalling the relevant international counter-terrorism conventions and in particular the obligations of parties to those conventions to extradite or prosecute terrorists,

"Strongly condemning the continuing use of the areas of Afghanistan under the control of the Afghan faction known as Taliban, which also calls itself the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (hereinafter known as the Taliban), for the sheltering and training of terrorists and planning of terrorist acts, and reaffirming its conviction that the suppression of international terrorism is essential for the maintenance of international peace and security,

"Noting the importance of the Taliban acting in accordance with the 1961 Single Convention, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, and the commitments of the 1998 Twentieth Special Session of the General Assembly on Narcotic Drugs, including to work closely with the United Nations Drug Control Programme,

"Noting that the Taliban benefits directly from the cultivation of illicit opium by imposing a tax on its production and indirectly benefits from the processing and trafficking of such opium, and recognizing that these substantial resources strengthen the Taliban’s capacity to harbour terrorists,

"Deploring the fact that the Taliban continues to provide safe haven to Usama bin Ladin and to allow him and others associated with him to operate a network of terrorist training camps from Taliban-controlled territory and to use Afghanistan as a base from which to sponsor international terrorist operations,

"Noting the indictment of Usama bin Laden and his associates by the United States of America for, inter alia, the 7 August 1998 bombings of the United States embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and for conspiring to kill American nationals outside the United States, and noting also the request of the United States of America to the Taliban to surrender them for trial (S/1999/1021),

"Reiterating its deep concern over the continuing violations of international humanitarian law and of human rights, particularly discrimination against women and girls, and over the significant rise in the illicit production of opium,

"Stressing that the capture by the Taliban of the Consulate-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the murder of Iranian diplomats and a journalist in Mazar-e-Sharif constituted flagrant violations of established international law,

"Determining that the failure of the Taliban authorities to respond to the demands in paragraph 13 of resolution 1214 (1998) and in paragraph 2 of resolution 1267 (1999) constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

"Stressing its determination to ensure respect for its resolutions,

"Reaffirming the necessity for sanctions to contain adequate and effective exemptions to avoid adverse humanitarian consequences on the people of Afghanistan, and that they be structured 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,

"Underlining the responsibility of the Taliban for the well-being of the population in the areas of Afghanistan under its control, and in this context calling on the Taliban to ensure the safe and unhindered access of relief personnel and aid to all those in need in the territory under their control,

"Recalling the relevant principles contained in the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 49/59 of 9 December 1994,

"Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

"1. Demands that the Taliban comply with resolution 1267 (1999) and, in particular, cease the provision of sanctuary and training for international terrorists and their organizations, take appropriate effective measures to ensure that the territory under its control is not used for terrorist installations and camps, or for the preparation or organization of terrorist acts against other States or their citizens, and cooperate with international efforts to bring indicted terrorists to justice;

"2. Demands also that the Taliban comply without further delay with the demand of the Security Council in paragraph 2 of resolution 1267 (1999) that requires the Taliban to turn over Usama bin Laden to appropriate authorities in a country where he has been indicted, or to appropriate authorities in a country where he will be returned to such a country, or to appropriate authorities in a country where he will be arrested and effectively brought to justice;

"3. Demands further that the Taliban should act swiftly to close all camps where terrorists are trained within the territory under its control, and calls for the confirmation of such closures by the United Nations, inter alia, through information made available to the United Nations by Member States in accordance with paragraph 19 below and through such other means as are necessary to assure compliance with this resolution;

"4. Reminds all States of their obligation to implement strictly the measures imposed by paragraph 4 of resolution 1267 (1999);

"5. Decides that all States shall:

"(a) Prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer to the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control as designated by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), hereinafter known as the Committee, by their nationals or from their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned;

"(b) Prevent the direct or indirect sale, supply and transfer to the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control, as designated by the Committee, by their nationals or from their territories, of technical advice, assistance, or training related to the military activities of the armed personnel under the control of the Taliban;

"(c) Withdraw any of their officials, agents, advisers, and military personnel employed by contract or other arrangement present in Afghanistan to advise the Taliban on military or related security matters, and urge other nationals in this context to leave the country;

"6. Decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 above shall not apply to supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance or training, as approved in advance by the Committee, and affirms that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 above do not apply to protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, exported to Afghanistan by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media, and humanitarian workers for their personal use only;

"7. Urges all States that maintain diplomatic relations with the Taliban to reduce significantly the number and level of the staff at Taliban missions and posts and restrict or control the movement within their territory of all such staff who remain; in the case of Taliban missions to international organizations, the host State may, as it deems necessary, consult the organization concerned on the measures required to implement this paragraph;

"8. Decides that all States shall take further measures:

"(a) To close immediately and completely all Taliban offices in their territories;

"(b) To close immediately all offices of Ariana Afghan Airlines in their territories;

"(c) To freeze without delay funds and other financial assets of

Usama bin Laden and individuals and entities associated with him as designated by the Committee, including those in the Al-Qaida organization, and including funds derived or generated from property owned or controlled directly or indirectly by Usama bin Laden and individuals and entities associated with him, and to ensure that neither they nor any other funds or financial resources are made available, by their nationals or by any persons within their territory, directly or indirectly for the benefit of Usama bin Laden, his associates or any entities owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by Usama bin Laden or individuals and entities associated with him including the Al-Qaida organization and requests the Committee to maintain an updated list, based on information provided by States and regional organizations, of the individuals and entities designated as being associated with Usama bin Laden, including those in the Al-Qaida organization;

"9. Demands that the Taliban, as well as others, halt all illegal drugs activities and work to virtually eliminate the illicit cultivation of opium poppy, the proceeds of which finance Taliban terrorist activities;

"10. Decides that all States shall prevent the sale, supply or transfer, by their nationals or from their territories, of the chemical acetic anhydride to any person in the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control as designated by the Committee or to any person for the purpose of any activity carried on in, or operated from, the territory under Taliban control as designated by the Committee;

"11. Decides also that all States are required to deny any aircraft permission to take off from, land in or over-fly their territories if that aircraft has taken off from, or is destined to land at, a place in the territory of Afghanistan designated by the Committee as being under Taliban control, unless the particular flight has been approved in advance by the Committee on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligations such as the performance of the Hajj, or on the grounds that the flight promotes discussion of a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan, or is likely to promote Taliban compliance with this resolution or with resolution 1267 (1999);

"12. Decides further that the Committee shall maintain a list of approved organizations and governmental relief agencies which are providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including the United Nations and its agencies, governmental relief agencies providing humanitarian assistance, the International Committee of the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations as appropriate, that the prohibition imposed by paragraph 11 above shall not apply to humanitarian flights operated by, or on behalf of, organizations and governmental relief agencies on the list approved by the Committee, that the Committee shall keep the list under regular review, adding new organizations and governmental relief agencies as appropriate and that the Committee, shall remove organizations and governmental agencies from the list if it decides that they are operating, or are likely to operate, flights for other than humanitarian purposes, and shall notify such organizations and governmental agencies immediately that any flights operated by them, or on their behalf, are thereby subject to the provisions of paragraph 11 above;

"13. Calls upon the Taliban to ensure the safe and unhindered access of relief personnel and aid to all those in need in the territory under their control, and underlines that the Taliban must provide guarantees for the safety, security and freedom of movement for United Nations and associated humanitarian relief personnel;

"14. Urges States to take steps to restrict the entry into or transit through their Territory of all senior officials of the rank of Deputy Minister or higher in the Taliban, the equivalent rank of armed personnel under the control of the Taliban, and other senior advisers and dignitaries of the Taliban, unless those officials are travelling for humanitarian purposes, including religious obligation such as the performance of the Hajj, or where the travel promotes discussion of a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan or involves compliance with this resolution or resolution 1267 (1999);

"15. Requests the Secretary-General in consultation with the Committee:

"(a) To appoint a committee of experts to make recommendations to the Council within sixty days of the adoption of this resolution regarding how the arms embargo and the closure of terrorist training camps demanded in paragraphs 3 and 5 above can be monitored, including inter alia the use of information obtained by Member States through their national means and provided by them to the Secretary-General;

"(b) To consult with relevant Member States to put into effect the measures imposed by this resolution and resolution 1267 (1999) and report the results of such consultations to the Council;

"(c) To report on the implementation of the existing measures, assess problems in enforcing these measures, make recommendations for strengthening enforcement, and evaluate actions of the Taliban to come into compliance;

"(d) To review the humanitarian implications of the measures imposed by this resolution and resolution 1267 (1999), and to report back to the Council within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution with an assessment and recommendations, to report at regular intervals thereafter on any humanitarian implications and to present a comprehensive report on this issue and any recommendations no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of these measures;

"16. Requests the Committee to fulfil its mandate by undertaking the following tasks in addition to those set out in resolution 1267 (1999):

"(a) To establish and maintain updated lists based on information provided by States, regional, and international organizations of all points of entry and landing areas for aircraft within the territory of Afghanistan under control by the Taliban and to notify Member States of the contents of such lists;

"(b) To establish and maintain updated lists, based on information provided by States and regional organizations, of individuals and entities designated as being associated with Usama bin Laden, in accordance with paragraph 8 (c) above;

"(c) To give consideration to, and decide upon, requests for the exceptions set out in paragraphs 6 and 11 above;

"(d) To establish no later than one month after the adoption of this resolution and maintain an updated list of approved organizations and governmental relief agencies which are providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, in accordance with paragraph 12 above;

"(e) To make relevant information regarding implementation of these measures publicly available through appropriate media, including through the improved use of information technology;

"(f) To consider, where and when appropriate, a visit to countries in the region by the Chairman of the Committee and such other members as may be required to enhance the full and effective implementation of the measures imposed by this resolution and resolution 1267 (1999) with a view to urging States to comply with relevant Council resolutions;

"(g) To make periodic reports to the Council on information submitted to it regarding this resolution and resolution 1267 (1999), including possible violations of the measures reported to the Committee and recommendations for strengthening the effectiveness of these measures;

"17. Calls upon all States and all international and regional organizations, including the United Nations and its specialized agencies, to act strictly in accordance with the provisions of this resolution, notwithstanding the existence of any rights or obligations conferred or imposed by any international agreement or any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the date of coming into force of the measures imposed by paragraphs 5, 8, 10 and 11 above;

"18. Calls upon States to bring proceedings against persons and entities within their jurisdiction that violate the measures imposed by paragraphs 5, 8, 10 and 11 above and to impose appropriate penalties;

"19. Calls upon all States to cooperate fully with the Committee in the fulfilment of its tasks, including supplying such information as may be required by the Committee in pursuance of this resolution;

"20. Requests all States to report to the Committee within 30 days of the coming into force of the measures imposed by paragraphs 5, 8, 10 and 11 above on the steps they have taken with a view to effectively implementing this resolution;

"21. Requests the Secretariat to submit for consideration by the Committee information received from Governments and public sources on possible violations of the measures imposed by paragraphs 5, 8, 10 and 11 above;

"22. Decides that the measures imposed by paragraphs 5, 8, 10 and 11 above shall come into force at 00.01 Eastern Standard Time, one month after the adoption of this resolution;

"23. Further decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 5, 8, 10 and 11 above are established for twelve months and that, at the end of this period, the Council will decide whether the Taliban has complied with paragraphs 1, 2, 3 above, and, accordingly, whether to extend these measures for a further period with the same conditions;

"24. Decides if the Taliban comply with the conditions of paragraphs 1, 2, 3 above, before the twelve-month period has elapsed, the Security Council shall terminate the measures imposed by paragraphs 5, 8, 10 and 11 above;

"25. Expresses its readiness to consider the imposition of further measures, in accordance with its responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations, with the aim of achieving full implementation of this resolution and resolution 1267 (1999), inter alia, taking into account the impact assessment referred to in paragraph 15 (d) with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of sanctions and avoiding humanitarian consequences;

"26. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

Statements

RAVAN A.G. FARHÂDI (Afghanistan) said Security’s Council resolution 1267 (1999) made it clear that the suppression of international terrorism was necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council forcefully condemned the fact that terrorists continued to be welcomed and trained and that acts of terrorism took place in the areas occupied by what he called the Taliban/Pakistan/Usama Bin Laden alliance, which, he said had categorically refused to cooperate with the international community. That alliance had also given new dimensions to terrorist activities since extremists came to them from all corners of the world.

He said he was grateful to the Council that the further sanctions that would be applied would not obstruct humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population. The text to be adopted, however, did not deal with the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan, and was silent on the well-known Pakistani aggression in the country. Terrorism was only one of the many effects of the military aggression against Afghanistan. He feared that the text could be interpreted by the Pakistan/Taliban/Bin Laden alliance as enabling them to continue their violence and terror against the Afghan people, as long as they ended their activities outside the country. The Council was also not dealing with the Pakistani military service or the Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan, which recruited and trained extremists in Afghanistan.

He said there were non-Afghan combatants fighting with the Taliban who originated from Pakistan. On the basis of what was reported by the Secretary-General, he said, "we are in a position to assert that there are ideological, political and organizational links between international terrorists, their networks and Pakistan". Pakistani religious schools were also indoctrination centres that were being used to train armed combatants. The Afghan population had undergone real persecution at the hands of the terrorists who originated from south-east Asia, the Middle East and south Asia. It was inadmissible that Afghan soil was still being used to wage a war. Pakistan should bear full responsibility for any reprisals against Afghanistan which could cause losses of human life.

He said the facts as presented were a violation of the Charter. The Council should thus be immediately seized of the question of armed aggression against Afghanistan which was covered by Chapter VII of the Charter. Pakistan's aggression was a threat to the security of the region and it should be denounced, condemned and fought through all the appropriate measures. The Inter-Services Intelligence must also be recognized as a criminal organization responsible for crimes against humanity. He demanded the appointment of a commission of inquiry by the Council to investigate military aggression by Pakistan.

HASMY AGAM (Malaysia) said the vulnerability of the Afghan people means that the impact of what would otherwise be fairly insignificant effects of the sanctions regime would be exaggerated. The imposition of additional measures would exacerbate their sense of isolation and despair, of living as they were in an impoverished country and suffering from the debilitating effects of both a long war and the worst drought in a generation. The new measures might also adversely affect the environment for humanitarian operations in the Taliban-controlled areas in Afghanistan, especially if that faction withheld its cooperation with the international humanitarian agencies operating there.

Given the high dependence of the Afghan population on international humanitarian assistance, he said, additional measures against the Taliban might pose serious risks to current and future humanitarian programmes on the ground. "These are risks we should not gamble on", he said. The new measures might also have a negative impact on the peace process.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Francesc Vendrell, had expressed the hope that the beginning of a new negotiating process among the conflicting parties might lead to substantive talks. In direct reference to the additional measures being contemplated, Mr. Vendrell had in fact cautioned about their timing. "We should heed his cautionary advice", he said. Every effort should be made to support the fledgling peace process and Mr. Vendrell should be given more opportunity to exhaust his efforts, which were at the initial stage.

He said any glimmer of hope should be pursued and the Council should be supportive and not dismissive of any peace effort. His delegation also had reservations on the imposition of measures against the Taliban that in effect interfered with the country’s civil war. The one-sided arms embargo on the Taliban was one such measure that compromised the essential neutrality of the Council. "This Council should empathize and sympathize with the plight of the people of Afghanistan, rather than imposing measures which further isolate them", he said.

ALPHONS HAMER (Netherlands) said it was important that the Council should send a political signal and send it with one voice. He would vote in favour of the resolution. He appreciated that there was an attempt to limit the impact of the sanctions on the Afghan people, but his Government continued to be worried about the humanitarian impact of sanctions. He called on the Council to weigh the possible impact of the sanctions against its wider objectives. It was not acceptable that the Taliban should use the current draft as a pretext for blocking the activities of humanitarian workers.

STEWART ELDON (United Kingdom) said the Taliban had continued to ignore the Council’s demand to hand over Usama bin Laden and they continued to harbour terrorists in territory under their control, actions to which the Council should respond. The draft was carefully targeted to impact on the leadership of the Taliban and on Usama bin Laden.

He called on the Taliban to allow aid agencies and international humanitarian workers to carry on their vital work without hindrance. Today’s draft resolution should not affect those providing aid to the Afghan people. He called on the Taliban to implement previous Council resolutions so that today’s resolution would not have to be applied.

PASCAL TEIXEIRA DA SILVA (France) said his Government was particularly concerned with the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The resolution provided for exceptions with regard to flights made on grounds of humanitarian need. It also took into account the other main considerations of the French delegation, that the sanctions be established for a limited period of time, although they were renewable. In practice, it represented the formation of a new action by the Council. He was satisfied with the provisions of the resolution on drawing up a list of agencies which provided humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and which would not be affected by the imposition of sanctions against organized flights. It meant the Committee established by resolution 1267 (1999) would have to work as quickly as possible to draw up the list.

VOLODYMYR G. KROKHMAL (Ukraine) said he supported the draft resolution before the Council. He regretted that the Taliban continued to ignore resolution 1267 (1999).

He said Afghanistan had become a major producer of opium worldwide, and it continued to ignore Council warnings. He expressed concern over the alarming picture of Taliban violations of humanitarian law and human rights and its continued discrimination against girls and women. He condemned violations of the safety and security of United Nations and humanitarian personnel.

The co-sponsors of the draft resolution had attached particular importance to the issue of targeting the sanctions, he said. He was also pleased that it accounted for the timeliness of the sanctions and the exemption of humanitarian flights. He expected that the Taliban would guarantee the safety of humanitarian personnel. With the stipulation of a time period after which the Council would decide whether the Taliban had complied with the measures contained in the resolution, the Council had adopted a clear signal about the termination of the sanctions.

NANCY SODERBERG (United States) said the terrorists remained in Afghanistan. As long as the Taliban continued to harbour terrorists -- in particular Usama bin Laden –- and to promote terrorism, it remained a threat to international peace and security.

The sanctions were tough but they were targeted, she said. They did not cut off trade with Afghanistan, taking care to ensure that food and medicine were not affected. Taliban policies had aggravated the already abysmal social and economic conditions of Afghanistan’s people, violating international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly by discriminating against women and girls. The cause of their misery was war, drought and the Taliban leadership. The United States, which shared concerns about the suffering of the Afghan people, was the biggest donor to Afghanistan with aid totalling $113 million. It would continue to aid the Afghan people’s humanitarian needs while targeting their leadership.

She said the United States took seriously the Taliban threat to humanitarian workers and was taking measures to hold the Taliban leadership responsible for their proper treatment. The Taliban were obligated to guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers and all United Nations personnel, and must ensure that those individuals were able to carry on their work in safety and security providing assistance vital to the Afghan people. The Council must not allow itself to be blackmailed by the Taliban leaders threatening international personnel.

The Council, she said, must send an unequivocal message to the Taliban to end its support for terrorism – "let us hope that they heed the call".

The draft resolution was then adopted as resolution 1333 (2000) by a vote of 13 in favour to none against, with two abstentions (China, Malaysia).

WANG YINGFAN (China) said his country did not favour the easy resort to or the continued use of sanctions. Such instruments should always be adopted with great caution and prudence. Sanctions as a tool of the Security Council were also a double-edged sword, since they could harm innocent people. As such, they should be adopted or strengthened only when circumstances made them absolutely necessary. Afghanistan had become a country facing a serious humanitarian situation; a new round of sanctions would undoubtedly make that situation even worse. The innocent Afghan people were feeling increasingly abandoned by the international community, isolated and extremely vulnerable. They could not afford any measures that might lead to the aggravation of their plight.

He said China supported the Afghan peace process. A fundamental improvement in the country’s humanitarian situation would be possible only when a cease-fire was realized and negotiations were resumed. At this moment a new round of sanctions would naturally give the Afghan peace process a negative impact. Furthermore, a unilateral arms embargo simply could not achieve the objective of enhancing the peace process in Afghanistan. In the consultations on the resolution, his country’s main amendments had not been accepted. China, therefore, abstained from voting on the text.

PAUL HEINBECKER (Canada) said his country voted for the text because of the strong anti-terrorist message it sent. United Nations sanctions must be respected. The Council was also responding to growing international consensus that its imposed measures be carefully targeted, and cognizant of humanitarian concerns. As Canada was preparing to end its term on the Council, it reminded those remaining and those about to begin terms that they had a heavy responsibility to monitor the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

He said the long conflict in that country had had a devastating toll on civilians. There was need for determined action by the Security Council to address the conflict itself. Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law continued unabated. Council pressure must bring warring factions to the table and hasten the end of an interminable war.

The President of the Council, SERGEI LAVROV (Russian Federation), said there had been reference today to the fact that the arms embargo in the text was one-sided in nature. That one-sided nature, he said, was fully justified. The Taliban banked specifically on military solutions. They had also provided their territory for use by terrorists, including Chechnyans, Uzbeks, Tajiks and other extremists. Also, the weapons that ended up with the Taliban were not only for their use, but to assist international terrorists. Another argument put forward suggested that the text would have a negative impact on the peace process. The Taliban had promised on many occasions to begin the negotiating process, and each time they had broken their word.

He said a third argument put forward was about the resolution's humanitarian implications. The major humanitarian implication was the war itself, which hundreds of thousands of Afghans were feeling because of the major violations of human rights by the Taliban. That was the main cause of the humanitarian crisis. The resolution just adopted had all of the necessary humanitarian exemptions and was targeted at the leaders of the Taliban and not the Afghan people. It also had time-frames and time limits.

He said the last argument that had been put forward today was the apprehension that after the adoption of the text the Taliban might expel humanitarian workers. If the Council took such threats into account, it would become a victim of blackmail and not the body responsible for peace and security. It could not give in to blackmail.