I am especially gratified to be here today, for both professional and personal reasons. On the personal side, I had the privilege of being guided for many years of my life by the bright star of President Adolfo Beria di Argentine. His relentless and selfless work in the field of crime prevention was an inspiration to me, as it was, I am sure, to many of you. Paese il lavoro delle Nazioni Unite. The fight against terrorism is a fundamental part of this effort.
Terrorism is a problem which has troubled the international community for more than three decades.
The need for international cooperation in combating it is well established. Yet the needed degree of cooperation is often absent. I would like to share with you a few remarks on the fundamental obstacles to international cooperation in fighting terrorism. Some Member States want to exclude certain forms of armed struggle, arguing that national liberation and resistance movements against foreign occupation should not be labeled as 'terrorism'. In the absence of consensus, the UN has opted for a piecemeal approach.