Today's Date:

The Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1390 on January 16 establishing a system of sanctions against Al Qaeda.

The new sanctions regime takes into account the new situation in Afghanistan: the fall of the Taliban government, closing of terrorist camps in Afghanistan. At the same time the activities of Al Qaeda have not completely stopped and justify maintaining sanctions, provided they are adapted to the new context, against the Taliban and bin Laden networks so that the action against terrorism can be continued.

The resolution retains certain useful provisions from the system of sanctions against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden network (Cf. SCR 1267 (1999), 1333 (2000) and 1363 (2001)) while extending its field of application to the entire world and no longer just to "the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control." On the other hand, the sanctions against Afghanistan as such have been dropped: the embargo on the Ariana national airline was abrogated by the Security Council on November 15 (R1388).

The new sanctions regime is carefully targeted. It provides for the list of individuals and entities established pursuant to earlier resolutions--including bin Laden, Al Qaeda members and the Taliban along with groups, individuals, undertakings and entities associated with them --to be reviewed and updated.

It imposes on states specific obligations with regard to the persons and entities whose names are on the list, requiring them:

- to freeze funds and financial assets;
- to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories (excepting nationals of the state concerned);
- to prevent arms, military materiel and technical assistance from being provided;
It also includes a clause for a review in 12 months to decide whether to continue or improve the sanctions regime.

In establishing such a regime against Al Qaeda, the Security Council is demonstrating once against its determination to combat terrorism. France, which took an active part in the negotiations, is satisfied with the new system which has targeted measures and which ensures world mobilization against the terrorist activities of Al Qaeda./.