SC/8022
12 March 2004

Security Council Condemns Madrid Terrorist Bombings,
Urges All States to Join Search for Perpetrators

Resolution 1530 (2004) Adopted Unanimously

NEW YORK, 11 March (UN Headquarters) -- Within hours of this morning’s deadly coordinated bombings that killed scores of commuters on packed trains in Madrid, the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the act of terrorism as “a threat to peace and security”, and urged all the world body’s Members to join the search to bring the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of the attacks to justice.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1530 (2004), the Security Council expressed its reinforced determination to combat all forms of terrorism, and condemned today’s attacks in Madrid “perpetrated by the terrorist group ETA”.  At least 190 commuters were killed and more than a thousand more wounded after simultaneous bombings targeted rush-hour trains in the Spanish capital.

Speaking before the vote on behalf of the 15-nation body, Council President Jean-Marc de La Sablière of France expressed “outrage” at the incident, adding that the members also expressed their sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families and to the Government of Spain.

The Council convened at 12:35 p.m. and adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

The full text of resolution 1530 (2004) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant resolutions, in particular its resolution 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001,

“Reaffirming 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,

“1. Condemns in the strongest terms the bomb attacks in Madrid, Spain, perpetrated by the terrorist group ETA on 11 March 2004, in which many lives were claimed and people injured, and regards such act, like any act of terrorism, as a threat to peace and security;

“2. Expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the people and Government of Spain and to the victims of the terrorist attacks and their families;

“3. Urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001), to cooperate actively in efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of this terrorist attack;

“4. Expresses its reinforced determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.”

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