The United Nations General Assembly will debate steps needed to eliminate international terrorism from October 1, but diplomats do not expect much to come out of it except member states expressing their resolve to fight the scourge and condemning the September 11 terror strikes in the US.
The debate, expected to last three days, will be the first full discussion on the issue in an international forum since the terrorist attacks on the United States. But it is yet unclear whether the assembly would adopt a resolution or simply talk and disperse.
The fact that the world leaders are not coming to the United States because of the security situation would itself take much colour out the debate.
Besides, the debate is expected to be much more intense in the general assembly's legal committee which will try to draw up convention against terrorism. Major differences exists on several provision especially on the definition of terrorism and how to differentiate between terrorism and independence movements.
The success would depend on whether the committee, on which all UN members are represented, is able to reconcile the differences.
But in the General Assembly debate, the members need not discuss any specific issues but just articulate generalities -condemning terrorism and stressing the need to fight as also relating their own experience.
Bureau Report