VIENNA, 11 October 2001 (OSCE) -- The 55 participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) today adopted unanimously a statement in support of the actions of the United States to counter terrorism.

In its statement, the OSCE Permanent Council declares its support for the United States' and other States' rights to individual and collective self-defence following armed attacks, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

The Permanent Council also acknowledged, welcomed, and declared its support for the emergence of the world counter-terror coalition, reflecting the common will of humanity to combat the evil of terrorism.

The OSCE participating States stated their support for actions designed to prevent and deter further terrorist attacks on innocent people throughout the world, whilst welcoming efforts to minimize civilian casualties and damage to civilian property.

The Council's statement furthermore reaffirms the obligation to prevent and suppress terrorism and to hold States that support terrorists accountable for their actions. It also emphasized the duty of the participating States to fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 1368 and 1373, and to support efforts to address the humanitarian needs of refugees and displaced persons.

Finally, the Permanent Council reiterated its commitment to elaborate, through its Working Group on Terrorism, an OSCE statement and action plan on counter-terrorism for adoption at the Bucharest Ministerial Council meeting scheduled for 3 and 4 December.