Text: U.S., Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova on Terrorism

(Joint statement by GUUAM foreign ministers after Nov. 14 meeting)


(550)





The United States, Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and


Moldova have pledged to stand united against terrorism and "to defend


values common to Muslims and non-Muslims alike," in the following


joint statement agreed upon after a November 14 meeting held during


the 56th Session of the United Nations General Assembly:





(begin text)





U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE


Office of the Spokesman


November 15, 2001





STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN





JOINT STATEMENT ON TERRORISM BY UNITED STATES, GEORGIA, UKRAINE,


UZBEKISTAN, AZERBAIJAN, AND MOLDOVA





The following joint statement on terrorism was agreed upon by the


Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and


Moldova (GUUAM) and Under Secretary of State Marc Grossman following a


November 14 meeting held during the 56th Session of the United Nations


General Assembly:





"The United States and the GUUAM member states stand united against


terrorism and together resolutely denounce the barbaric acts of


terrorism that were committed against the United States on September


11, 2001. The attacks represented an attack not only against the


United States but on the whole of the international community and on


people of all faiths and cultures. These monstrous acts and terrorism


in general are a challenge to the fundamental values for which our


societies stand. Together, the United States and the GUUAM member


states will work to bring the perpetrators of the September 11 attack


to justice and to fight terrorism. This conflict is a struggle to


defend values common to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.





"The United States and the GUUAM member states acknowledge that


terrorism is not identified with any religion or culture. Together


they will work in the international coalition to fight terrorism. This


effort will be long and sustained and will define a new era in


international relations. Already, the individual states that comprise


GUUAM are working closely with the U.S. on combating terrorism, and


have agreed on the crucial importance of mutual cooperation,


especially in ensuring the security of transport corridors and


preventing drug trafficking, illegal weapons trade and illegal


migration. During their meeting, the Foreign Ministers of the GUUAM


states and the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs explored


possibilities for increased cooperation on counterterrorism between


the United States and GUUAM as an important regional organization.





"The United States and the GUUAM member states pledge to reinforce and


develop bilateral and multilateral co-operation with each other,


within GUUAM, with the United Nations and with other international and


regional organizations in order to combat terrorism in all its forms


and manifestations. The United States and the GUUAM member states are


determined to contribute to the fulfillment of international


obligations as enshrined in United Nations Security Council


Resolutions 1368, 1373 and 1377 (2001) as well as UN General Assembly


Resolution 56/1, and will act in conformity with the principles of the


Charter of the United Nations. The GUUAM countries pledge to become


parties to all twelve United Nations Conventions and Protocols related


to terrorism as soon as possible.





"The United States and the GUUAM member states, recognizing the threat


of terrorism, have reiterated their continued support for the


sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as


democratic development, of the GUUAM member states."





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