Date: March 19, 2008
Original Source: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1181131327498&a=KArticle&aid=1203952030995

UN SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON COUNTER TERRORISM COMMITTEE (19/03/08)
Statement by Sir John Sawers, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations
Mr President,
I welcome Mr Smith in his new job and we have already seen I think, those of us who have followed the work of CTED, that in his brief few months in the role he has given a real boost to the sense of direction and purpose of the Directorate.  In the combination of him in that role and Ambassador Jurica as the President of the Council's Counter Terrorism Committee I think we have a new vitality in our work on Counter Terrorism.
Because we certainly believe as the United Kingdom that the United Nations, and the Security Council, have a very important role to play in the fight against terrorism.  The threat of terrorism continues to face a significant number of UN Member States directly, day in and day out.  The consequences of terrorism reach all of us.  Increasingly, and tragically, they seek to strike at the United Nations itself and I would like to put on record again the United Kingdom's utter condemnation of the attack on the UN in Algiers last December and our deep condolences to the victims and their families.
Mr President, we must succeed in our joint endeavour to stop the criminals and murderers perpetrating terrorist acts.  The terrorist threat is complex and requires a multi-dimensional response.  It will require work across the UN system, underpinned by genuine co-ordination, and I think Mr Smith's report helps bring all that out.  We have to focus on interventions that make a visible difference.  We will know we have succeeded when we can see improvement in Member States' preparedness to tackle terrorism.  Some of that will come from capacity building, where we must make sure it leads to a genuine increase in countries' capabilities.  That includes a wide range of challenges.  From investigation and disruption of terrorist networks, to blocking terrorist financing.  From border security to protecting transport and other critical infrastructure.
It is against that backdrop that Mr Smith's appointment and his briefing of this Council is so welcome and we particularly welcome the focus he has put on three things.  First, at looking internally at CTED processes to improve their consistency and to get the most out of the range of expertise in his Directorate.  Secondly, looking outside CTED to consult widely on its role and how it can best work with all Member States, including through international and regional organisations.  And thirdly, to consider new priorities in CTED's work and I think the briefing that he has given us has amply demonstrated the focus that he has brought on all three of those issues and I warmly endorse the recommendations that he has put forward.
In the areas of renewed emphasis for CTED, we welcome in particular the focus on increased work with donors, on which we stand ready to do our part.  We welcome the commitment to increase co-operation with other parts of the United Nations.  And that should include strengthening work with the 1267 Monitoring Team and the 1540 Committee's experts, which this Council has called for for some time.  Equally importantly, we welcome the commitment to play a full part in the work of the Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force. 
The continued commitment to take forward work on incitement to terrorism and dealing with that problem within the context of resolution 1624 is also particularly important.  Looking at the threat we see emerging today, tackling radicalisation and recruitment is essential, especially by challenging the ideology of violent extremism and helping to support vulnerable communities.
Building on the work already done, we are looking forward to the Counter Terrorism Committee's report to the Council on the  implementation of States' counter-terrorism obligations under resolution 1373, which Mr Smith referred to.  We attach importance to having a global picture of achievements and gaps in order for the Council to be able to guide the Committee's priorities in the year ahead.  We think such an analysis will be important at the start of each year.
And Mr President, may I just close by saying that under the able leadership of Ambassador Jurica and Mr Smith at CTED, this is a promising time for the work of the Council on Counter Terrorism issues.  The United Kingdom would welcome sustained Council involvement on counter terrorism and we stand ready to do our part.
Thank you Mr President.