G7/8 Summit Meetings > Ottawa Summit Documents
Ottawa Summit Statement on Terrorism
July 21, 1981
- The Heads of State and Government, seriously concerned
about the active support given to international terrorism through
the supply of money and arms to terrorist groups, and about the
sanctuary and training offered terrorists, as well as the
continuation
of acts of violence and terrorism such as aircraft hijacking,
hostagetaking and attacks against diplomatic and consular
personnel
and premises, reaffirm their determination vigorously to combat
such flagrant violations of international law. Emphasizing that
all countries are threatened by acts of terrorism in disregard
of fundamental human rights, they resolve to strengthen and
broaden
action within the international community to prevent and punish
such acts.
- The Heads of State and Government view with particular
concern the recent hijacking incidents which threaten the safety
of international civil aviation. They recall and reaffirm the
principles set forth in the 1978 Bonn Declaration and note that
there are several hijackings which have not been resolved by
certain
States in conformity with their obligations under international
law. They call upon the governments concerned to discharge their
obligations promptly and thereby contribute to the safety of
international
civil aviation.
- The Heads of State and Government are convinced that,
in the case of the hijacking of a Pakistan International Airlines
aircraft in March, the conduct of the Babrak Karmal government
of Afghanistan, both during the incident and subsequently in
giving
refuge to the hijackers, was and is in flagrant breach of its
international obligations under the Hague Convention to which
Afghanistan is a party, and constitutes a serious threat to air
safety. Consequently the Heads of State and Government propose
to suspend all flights to and from Afghanistan in implementation
of the Bonn Declaration unless Afghanistan immediately takes
steps
to comply with its obligations. Furthermore, they call upon all
States which share their concern for air safety to take
appropriate
action to persuade Afghanistan to honor its obligations.
- Recalling the Venice Statement on the Taking of Diplomatic
Hostages, the Heads of State and Government approve continued
cooperation in the event of attacks on diplomatic and consular
establishments or personnel of any of their governments. They
undertake that in the event of such incidents, their governments
will immediately consult on an appropriate response. Moreover,
they resolve that any State which directly aids and abets the
commission of terrorist acts condemned in the Venice Statement,
should face a prompt international response. It was agreed to
exchange information on terrorist threats and activities, and
to explore cooperative measures for dealing with and countering
acts of terrorism, for promoting more effective implementation
of existing antiterrorist conventions, and for securing wider
adherence to them.
Source: Canada, Department of External Affairs,
Economic
Summits, 1975-1987: Declarations (Ottawa, 198-): Tab 16,
1-3 [unpublished]; U.S., Department of State,
Bulletin,
No. 2053 (August 1981): 16; Economic Summits, 1975-1986:
Declarations (Rome: Istituto Affari Internazionali,
1987):
86-87; Great Britain, Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
Political
Declarations and Statements of Annual Economic Summits,
1978-1986
(London, 198-) [unpublished].
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