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Unable to resolve differences on the definition of terrorism, a key United Nations committee has voted to hold further negotiations in January on finalising a comprehensive convention against terrorism, which was proposed by India.
The legal committee of the UN unanimously decided on another round of talks to be held from Jan 28-Feb 1 on Wednesday when the negotiating team, after coming close to finalising the convention, stood divided on who a terrorist was and what constituted terrorism, a UN spokesman said.
The major sticking point was efforts by some nations, including Pakistan, to exclude what they call "liberation movements" while defining terrorism, though the majority accepted that terrorism could not be justified under any circumstances.
The Arabs countries described the Israeli occupation of West Bank and Gaza Strip as "a heinous form" of terrorism and said Palestinian struggle against Tel Aviv was legal and legitimate.
But Israelis argued that such a formulation would give legitimacy to suicide bombers. The negotiations were aimed at consolidating various treaties against terrorism into one document or an umbrella convention.
Secretary General Kofi Annan had strongly urged the 189-member General Assembly to finalise and adopt the convention after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.
PTI
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