Terrorism Sponsor Syria Elected to U.N. Security Council

Voice of America, October 9, 2001

Syria has won a seat on the U.N. Security Council with overwhelming support despite being on the United States' list of countries that support terrorism.

Syria won a two-year term on the council Monday for an Asian seat on the council to replace Bangladesh on January first. Syria received 160 votes out of the 177 secret ballots cast in the U.N. General Assembly. Washington, which did not campaign against Syria, said it will continue to express its concerns regarding terrorism with the Syrian government. Spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States will also continue to expect Syria to meet its obligations to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, to fulfill all Security Council resolutions and to contribute to international peace and security.

Israel and U.S. Jewish groups denounced Syria's election to the U.N. Security Council. But Syria's official news agency (SANA) quoted an unidentified spokesman as saying Syria does not support international terrorism.

Meanwhile, Mexico won the Council's Latin America and Caribbean seat after defeating the Dominican Republic in a runoff. Mexico, which last won a two-year seat in 1980, joins Bulgaria, Cameroon, Guinea and Syria for the new term.

The Security Council is made up of 15 members. Russia, China, France, Britain and the United States hold permanent seats. Ten nonpemrmanent members are elected to two-year terms - five every year.

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