2001 Press Releases

Ambassador Soderberg Speaks on UN Sanctions Against Taliban

Jan. 4, 2001

U.S. Ambassador Nancy E. Soderberg, Alternate United States Representative to the UN for Special Political Affairs, made a speech at the United Nations Security Council on December 19, 2000, regarding the imposition of UN sanctions on the Taliban. Below is the text of her speech.

Today the Security Council takes a strong stand against terrorism and for the maintenance of international peace and security. As we speak, the Taliban leadership harbors the world's most wanted terrorist Usama bin Laden. Over a year ago, this body enacted sanctions with a single, simple demand to the Taliban leadership: Turn over Usama bin Laden without further delay to appropriate authorities in a country where he will be arrested and effectively brought to justice. And yet to date, the terrorists remain in Afghanistan. And let no one misunderstand: They remain a continuing threat to us all.

The Taliban cannot continue to flout the will of the international community and support and shelter terrorists without repercussions. As long as the Taliban leadership continues to harbor terrorists - in particular Usama bin Laden - and to promote terrorism, it remains a threat to international peace and security.

We must be mindful that terrorists are criminals, whatever their ethnic, religious or other affiliations. We oppose their crimes, not any religious or moral cause they purport to represent. It is in the common interest of all nations to fight terrorism. Any country that provides refuge or other support to terrorists operates outside the values of the international community.

These sanctions are tough, but they are targeted. They do not cut off trade with Afghanistan. We have taken care to ensure that trade in food and medicine is not affected. These sanctions are targeted at the leadership of the Taliban and not at the Afghan people. We all share deep concern over the deplorable plight of the Afghan people. But it is important to remember that the cause of that misery is war, drought and the draconian policies of the leadership, not the ban on Taliban aircraft and assets.

The Taliban policies have aggravated the already abysmal social and economic conditions of the Afghan people. The Taliban violate international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly by discriminating against women and girls.

The United States is doing its part to address this crisis. We are the biggest donor to Afghanistan, with our aid this year to the Afghan people totaling $113 million. We also continue to address the Afghan people's humanitarian needs, while targeting their leadership.

The United States takes the threat to humanitarian aid workers very seriously and is taking a range of measures to hold the Taliban leadership responsible for their proper treatment. The Council must not allow the Taliban leaders to blackmail it by threatening the international personnel, the Afghan peoples, benefactors.

Let me be perfectly clear: the Taliban has an obligation to guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers and all United Nations personnel at all times. These dedicated individuals are in Afghanistan working for the welfare of the Afghan people under extremely difficult circumstances. The Taliban must ensure that these individuals are able to carry on their work in safety and security, providing assistance vital to the Afghan people. That is the responsibility of the Taliban. The Afghan people deserve peace. They deserve a chance to rebuild their lives under a broad-based, representative government that respects their culture and traditions.

We applaud the efforts of the Secretary General's Personal Envoy, Francesc Vendrell, to promote a peaceful settlement. The people have suffered for too long. But until that day, the international community must stand firm against terrorism. And with this important action today, the Security Council sends an unequivocal message to the Taliban: End your support for terrorism. Let us hope they will at last heed our call.

Thank you.