[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

"It was emphasized that legitimate struggles of peoples under colonial rule
or foreign occupation for their inalienable right of self-determination
should not be labeled as terrorism" = murdering Israelis is not terrorism. ]

Tehran Anti-Terror Conference Ends Work with Final Statement
News number: 9004052538 19:36 | 2011-06-26
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9004052538

TEHRAN (FNA)- The International Conference on Global Fight against Terrorism
ended up work here in Tehran on Sunday after issuing a final statement.

The final statement was read by the Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar
Salehi, in the closing ceremony of the two-day conference this afternoon.

The Tehran international anti-terrorism conference started work on Saturday
with senior officials from at least 60 countries and representatives of
several international bodies, including the UN, in attendance.

The event, arranged under the slogan of "A World Without Terrorism", was
aimed at increasing international convergence and coordination in fighting
terrorism.

According to the website of the conference, the full text of the final
statement is as follows:

International Conference on Global Fight against Terrorism

Tehran, 25-26 June 2011

1) At the initiative of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the
International Conference on Global Fight against Terrorism was held from 25
to 26 June 2011 in Tehran, Iran. Heads of States and governments from
neighboring countries Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan as well as Sudan,
Tajikistan, Mauritania and the Vice-President of Cuba and Ministers and
other high-level delegates from 60 States, representatives of the United
Nations (Officer in Charge of CTITF), the OIC, and other regional
organizations as well as distinguished scholars and researchers and peace
activists from all around the world participated in the Conference;

2) The participants expressed their deep appreciation for the Government of
the Islamic Republic of Iran for its constructive and timely initiative in
organizing the International Conference on Global Fight against Terrorism,
and congratulated the Islamic Republic of Iran for its successful
organization of the event. The participants stressed the high importance of
such gatherings in further mobilizing political will and strengthening
international capacities in countering terrorism at national and
international levels;

3) The participants reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of all acts of
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including State terrorism,
economic terrorism wherever, against whoever and by whoever they may be
committed. it was underlined that State terrorism has posed, for long, a
real threat to the peace and stability of many nations across the globe
through unlawful use or threat of force, aggression and occupation;

4) It was acknowledged that terrorism is a global challenge the elimination
of which requires a globally approved approach under the United Nations'
auspices and through participation of all responsible members of the
international community. It also requires the use of all potentials of the
competent regional and international organizations in order to promote
cooperation and coordination in countering terrorism;

5) It was underscored that considering terrorism in a holistic and
comprehensive manner and in all its aspects is vital. In this context, the
importance of addressing the historical and the continuing root causes of
terrorism, including foreign aggression and occupation, poverty and
discrimination as well as interventionist policies by some States, was
highlighted;

6) The participants underlined, as also reiterated by Iran's Supreme Leader,
the need for providing a consensual definition for terrorism without
prejudicing or affecting, in any manner, the recognized rules and principles
of international humanitarian law. It was emphasized that legitimate
struggles of peoples under colonial rule or foreign occupation for their
inalienable right of self-determination should not be labeled as terrorism;

7) The importance of countering terrorism in a transparent, rule of law
based, and non-discriminatory manner was emphasized. It was underlined that
counter-terrorism measures shall be adopted and carried out in accordance
with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including
international human rights and humanitarian law. The participants rejected
selective or double-standard approaches in dealing with terrorism and
terrorist groups and warned that such approaches could undermine
international trust and cooperation in countering terrorism globally;

8) The distinctive role of the United Nations, especially the General
Assembly, in building international consensus and promoting cooperation and
coordination against terrorism was highlighted. In this context, the
imperative of following the consensual approach in international
counter-terrorism norm-making processes was underlined. Also the important
status of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the need
for its balanced implementation as well as its further reviews with a view
to its strengthening was emphasized;

9) The participants underlined the need to extend cooperation and
interaction among all States in countering terrorism, in all its aspects, at
bilateral, regional and international levels. The participants reminded the
responsibility of all States in taking the necessary measures to bring
terrorists to justice, and requested all States to strengthen cooperation to
this end;

10) The participants highlighted the unequivocal denunciation by all divine
religions of acts of terrorism and indiscriminate violence against innocent
people and the high importance these religions attach to human life and
dignity as well as peaceful coexistence among nations. The participants
rejected any vicious attempt to associate or attribute terrorism to a
particular culture, religion or nationality and expressed their concern over
certain circles' attempts to associate intolerance, extremism, terrorism and
violence to religions, particularly Islam, and condemned any offensive or
provoking act against Divine values and religious sanctities;

11) The participants expressed their sympathy with victims of terrorism,
including State terrorism. The participants expressed their deep concern
over excessive and/or disproportionate use of military force in the name of
countering terrorism which has claimed the lives of an increasing number of
innocent civilians, and stressed the importance of addressing the plight of
these victims. The participants applauded the initiative of the Conference
to commemorate the victims of acts of terrorism.

The participants welcomed the Islamic Republic of Iran's initiative to
establish a standing headquarters for the Conference as a follow-up to
further mobilize the international and regional political will and preserve
the momentum in promoting cooperation and coordination in countering
terrorism. In this context, the participants welcomed the offer made by the
Republic of Iraq to hold the next Conference in Iraq at a date to be
announced in due course.