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| | IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST, AFGHANISTAN, AFRICA KEY ISSUES BEFORE SECURITY COUNCIL IN 2003 |
 | | UNAMSIL’s mandate was further extended until 31 March 2004 through resolution 1508, adopted on 19 September. The Council welcomed the Secretary-General’s intention, should the security environment remain favourable, to reduce troop strength to 11,500, starting in November. It is envisaged that by October 2004 troop strength will stand at 5,000. |
 | | In a presidential statement following the 16 October debate, the Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constituted one of the most serious threats to peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever and by whomsoever committed. |
 | | The Chairmen of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (United Kingdom until 4 April, Spain after that) briefed the Council on 20 January, 20 February, 4 April, 6 May, 23 July and 16 October. |
| www.un.org /News/Press/docs/2004/sc7982.doc.htm (2188 words) |
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