2005 Press Releases

Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1617

Aug. 11, 2005

The United States welcomes the Security Council’s July 29th unanimous adoption of Resolution 1617, reaffirming and strengthening international sanctions on Al-Qaida, the Taliban, and their associates.

Agreement on this Resolution expresses the shared commitment of the global community in the fight against terrorism. The United States worked closely with other members of the Security Council in the drafting of the Resolution, and looks forward to deepening our partnership with the United Nations and with governments around the world in working to implement its provisions.

Resolution 1617 improves the international community’s efforts to combat terrorism by more clearly identifying what connections establish ‘association’ with Al-Qaida, the Taliban, or Usama bin Ladin for purposes of the UN sanctions, by endorsing an effective set of standards and practices for implementing the financial sanctions imposed on them, and by facilitating cooperation among various counter-terrorism committees and bodies. It also extends the mandate of the Analysis and Monitoring Team, which helps the Council oversee the implementation of these sanctions. Sanctions were initially imposed by Resolution 1267 in 1999, and, among other results, have provided the foundation for multilateral efforts to deny use of the international financial system to designated terrorists.

Resolution 1617 carries forward a consolidated list of terrorists tied to the Taliban, Usama bin Ladin, and Al-Qaida. Inclusion on the list triggers international obligations upon all UN member countries, requiring them to freeze the assets and prevent the travel of listed individuals and to block the sale of arms and military equipment.

The State Department and U.S. embassies overseas have played a central role in the United States’ efforts to support implementation of these sanctions, and will continue to do so.