S/PV.4867 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Turkey, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document S/2003/1106, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council’s prior consultations. It is my understanding that the Security Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1516 (2003). I now give the floor to the representative of Turkey.

The recent attacks in Istanbul have reopened fresh wounds. Once again, in the face of the most cowardly and unspeakable acts of violence, we are confronting the unchanging truth behind the ugly face of terrorism. We see plainly that terrorism is a means of oppression directed at the very existence of human life, civilization and our common values — values distilled from the moment the human adventure started on Earth. As a nation that had to suffer for more than a decade through one of the most blatant forms of this evil scourge, we called most earnestly for decisive international action and cooperation, long before it struck all around the world. Just recently we were more successful in reaching a broader understanding that we should not distinguish between the motivations, forms and so-called causes of terrorism. However, I cannot say that we have been as successful in showing the same sensitivity in not making a distinction between the victims of terrorism. I cannot stress enough that we must all avoid falling into that trap. Just as there are no good terrorists, there are no second-class victims. All terrorists, therefore, deserve to be treated in the same manner; so do the victims of terrorism. A selective approach will prove to be the wrong way to proceed, as terrorism has always turned eventually against the very hands that have fed, abetted or condoned it. Finally, as the representative of the host nation, I extend my condolences to my British colleague. I thank those in the Chamber who have expressed their sympathy. An extensive and thorough investigation is under way and has already produced more than circumstantial evidence. I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this meeting to show solidarity with the aggrieved people of Turkey.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.