'Denial of self-determination right leads to conflicts'

Welcoming the adoption of the global counter-terrorism strategy, Pakistan has called for addressing the root causes of conflicts that arise mainly from foreign occupation and denial of the right of peoples to self-determination.
"These root causes will have to be addressed and overcome vigorously, if the strategy is to succeed in countering and eliminating terrorism," Minister at the Pakistan UN Mission, Imtiaz Hussain told the General Assembly after the adoption of the document.
The 192-member of the General Assembly without a vote approved the strategy, which includes a plan of action, measures to prevent and combat terrorism and steps to build capacities of states to fight the scourge.
"We have noted that some aspects of the strategy have been stated clearly and directly in the resolution and the Plan of Action, while other would need explanations and beefing up," said Imtiaz Hussain. "This could involve a process of redefining some elements of the strategy, however, we support this approach as it helps to evolve broader consensus".
He also said that for Pakistan "the most important aspect of (the strategy) was that it was dynamic and it would be implemented by the General Assembly," which would "examine progress made in its implementation and consider updating it".
The Pakistan delegate noted that the strategy rightly recalled that world leaders at the September 2005 UN summit rededicated themselves to support all efforts to uphold "the right to self-determination of peoples which remain under colonial domination and foreign occupation".
"We hope this should provide inspiration for implementation of the General Assembly resolutions on self-determination, as many of those could not be implemented until now".
Welcoming that the strategy dealt with the problem of "foreign occupation", the Pakistan delegate noted member states' pledge "to do all they can to end foreign occupation". "We recognise that in addressing this important root cause of terrorism we have moved a step forward".
The Pakistan delegate said the reference in the strategy to the General Assembly resolution 46/51 of 9 December 1991 was "an unequivocal acknowledgement of the legitimacy of national liberation movements." About "state terrorism", he expressed appreciation for the strong condemnation of terrorism committed by "whomever, wherever".
Noting that the strategy acknowledges that socio-economic marginalisation lead to spread of terrorism, Imtiaz Hussain said, "We support your (President of the General Assembly) views that these conditions should be dealt in a "comprehensive manner". However, he said, the General Assembly would need to develop appropriate strategies to transform these ideas into actions.