`Fight international terrorism`

UNITED Nations member states must take appropriate actions against any threat to international peace and security caused by the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, says Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Chalwe Lombe.

Mr Lombe observed that Zambia was fully aware of the reality that international terrorism transcended borders. He said the complext nature of international terrorism required proactive measures and consistent assessment of the threats to global security. Mr Lombe was speaking when he officially opened a SADC workshop on United Nation Resolution 1540 (2004) in Livingstone He said universal efforts to counter the threat of international terrorism, proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons were critically important. He noted that Zambia did manufacture, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. “In addition, the country is also a State Party to several international agreements aimed at countering the threat of proliferation, some of which have since been domesticated,” said Mr. Lombe. He explained that Zambia's Anti-Terrorism Act provided for the prosecution of persons who provide or receive instructions or training in terrorism, or making use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapon. Mr Lombe told the delegates that the Zambian government had also established an Anti-Terrorism Centre, a national body comprising all the key national stakeholders to coordinate counter terrorism. The SADC workshop is being held at Protea Hotel in Livingstone and was followed by Wiesbaden Workshop. The Wiesbaden process focuses on private sector engagement and acknowledges the positive role that industries can play in the effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).