UN anti-crime chief appeals for ratification of existing UN treaties against terrorism

The head of the United Nations anti-crime agency today appealed for quick ratification and full implementation of existing UN treaties dealing with terrorism.

Speaking at a press conference at the UN's headquarters in Vienna, Pino Arlacchi, Executive Director of the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, said the world body had a vital role to play in developing a coordinated, multi-faceted strategy against terrorism, including legal conventions, cooperation between States, information sharing and mechanisms to suppress financial support to terrorist groups.

"The community of nations is rising to a new level of cooperation against not only the groups and individuals who threaten our way of life but also the networks and powers behind them," Mr. Arlacchi said, pointing out that last week's tragedies in the United States underscored the need to ratify and implement the dozen existing UN treaties on terrorism.