Terror warning: UN warns member nations of terrorist, WMD attacks

by: jim kouri | published: 05 13, 2012

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement voicing concerns over the threat posed by terrorists one year after the killing of radical Islamic icon, Osama bin Laden, and the risk that groups such as al-Qaeda could pose to nations such as the United States and members of the European Union with weapons of mass destruction.

As part of its mandate to create stable and secure environments UN Police are working with international policing and law enforcement experts to find ways to prevent, disrupt and dismantle organized crime in post-conflict situations, according to Security Council officials. The UN Police assist domestic law enforcement authorities to establish mechanisms to deal with organized criminal activities, including drug production and trafficking, human trafficking, exploitation of natural resources and weapons trafficking.

"The Security Council remains gravely concerned about the threat of terrorism and the risk that non-state actors may acquire, develop, traffic in or use weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery," said the UN statement. The UN also mentioned it provides training for police officers in dealing with crimes related to terrorism and transnational organized crime.

The 15-member council released their analysis at the close of the first meeting on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts.

"The Security Council recognizes the urgent need for additional efforts to be made at the national, regional, and international levels, in order to prevent the illicit proliferation of all arms and related material of all types, including man-portable surface- to-air missiles, in some regions, and emphasizes that such proliferation could fuel terrorist activities," said the statement.

The Security Council's statement stressed the importance of international cooperation in order to combat terrorism and prevent such weapons from falling into terrorists' hands.

"The statement by the UN is overall a politically-correct document that avoids even the slightest mention of radical Islam and Muslim terrorists. It's also tainted by the fact that some of the most active nations participating in UN activities are themselves supporters of terrorist groups going so far as to selling them arms or -- as in the case of Iran -- giving them weapons and weapons systems without charge," said former NYPD arson & explosion expert Detective Benjamin Cardoza.

The members of the council emphasized "the need for more enhanced cooperation and solidarity among member states, particularly through bilateral and multilateral arrangements and agreements to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks."

They reiterated their "call upon member states to strengthen cooperation at the international, regional, and sub-regional level, particularly through regional and sub-regional mechanisms and coordination and cooperation at the operational level."

The statement cited the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, pointing to the importance of its continued implementation "in an integrated manner and in all its aspects."

In 2011, Police officers from various European countries together with police experts from UN Missions attended the fourth UN Training Course for Police Trainers on Preventing and Investigating Violence in post- conflict environments from 7 to 18 November 2011. The training was hosted by the Police Academy of the state of Baden-Württemberg in Wertheim/Germany.

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