Permanent Mission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

It is a great honor for me to address the Committee on behalf of the Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and my own country - Viet Nam, on Agenda Item 108 “Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism”. First of all, I wish to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your election and express our confidence that under your Chairmanship, this session of the Committee will be crowned with success.

Mr. Chairman,

The ASEAN Member Countries are committed to the fight against terrorism. We reiterate our support to the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Towards this end, we encourage other member states and the UN system to step up cooperation for full realization of the action plans and measures identified in the Strategy. We take note of the fact that a comprehensive convention on international terrorism is being elaborated and in this regard, we call upon Member States to ensure its successful conclusion. We also commend the on-going efforts carried out by the UN bodies and agencies to promote and facilitate international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Mr. Chairman,

ASEAN Member Countries strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We have always been firm in our position that measures to be taken against terrorism must be comprehensive, balanced and in compliance with international law, particularly the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. At the same time, we emphasize the need to address the root causes of terrorism and stress that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic groups.

Fighting terrorism and other related crimes is always a priority for ASEAN. During the past year, ASEAN Member Countries spared no efforts in building and strengthening coordination and cooperation in this regard, both within and outside the region.

As far as intra-ASEAN cooperation in counter-terrorism is concerned, ASEAN has developed a Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT) which was envisaged in the Vientiane Action Programme as one important aspect in the strategic thrusts of the Association in its endeavour to build an ASEAN Security Community by 2015. The Convention was signed by ASEAN Leaders at the 12^th ASEAN Summit Meeting early this year in Cebu, Philippines. On this occasion, the ASEAN Leaders stated that the Convention is to “enhance the region’s capacity to confront terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation among our law enforcement and other relevant authorities”. The ACCT inherits many characteristics of other international and regional treaties on counter-terrorism, and includes relevant measures provided under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373. Furthermore, the ACCT is also tailored to the specific needs of the region, thus enhancing the effectiveness of ASEAN cooperation in countering terrorism.

While the ACCT is yet to enter into force, discussions on measures to implement the Convention have already been underway. The 7^th SOMTC Ad-Hoc Working Group on Counter Terrorism met in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 28 June 2007 and assumed the task of monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the ACCT. An expert working group has been established to develop an ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action for implementing the ACCT. A workshop on facilitating early entry into force of the Convention is to be convened this month in Indonesia.

ASEAN also works with countries of other regions to combat terrorism. In May this year, members of the ASEAN Regional Forum met in Singapore at the 5^th Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crimes. With its theme of inter-civilisational dialogue, this ISM brought government officials together to discuss ways of promoting inter-civilisational dialogue to enhance the fight against global terrorism. This effort compliments the implementation of United Nation Security Council Resolution 1624. The Meeting put forth a number of recommendations and drafted the ARF Statement on the Promotion of Inter-civilisational Dialogue.

At the ARF Ministerial Meeting held in the Philippines on August 2, 2007, the Foreign Ministers adopted the ARF Statement on the Promotion of Inter-civilisational Dialogue. They also endorsed the ARF Cooperation Framework on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crimes and tasked the officials to monitor and sustain its implementation. The Framework is a compilation of ARF commitments in counter-terrorism and fighting transnational crimes which have already been agreed upon in earlier ARF statements.

In implementing the ASEAN – Japan Joint Declaration for Cooperation in the Fight against International Terrorism of 2004, ASEAN Member Countries and Japan have been conducting Counter-Terrorism dialogues to identify areas for capacity building cooperation. In the second dialogue held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 10-11 September 2007, ASEAN and Japan considered several project proposals, which will be further developed.

Mr. Chairman,

While I am having the floor, spkeaking in my capacity as the Representative of Viet Nam, I would like to inform the Committee that my country received, from August 27-31 this year, an on-site visit of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, to monitor our implementation of UNSC resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005). In its preliminary conclusions, the CTED delegation commended Viet Nam for its commitment to combat terrorism and willingness to cooperate with the UN. The delegation recognized the efforts that Viet Nam had made, and continued to make, to improve its legal and institutional framework through its national judicial reform strategy, as well as operational mechanism, to deal with terrorism. The Vietnamese agencies concerned are assessing findings and recommendations of the delegation in order to submit to our Government measures of implementation.

Mr. Chairman,

ASEAN Member Countries are determined to enhance its fight against terrorism. On behalf of the ASEAN Member Countries, let me assure you of our continued cooperation with the international community, especially with the United Nations in this cause.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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