01 February 2004	Sunday	09 Zilhaj 1424

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 31: The UN Security Council on Friday put 100 countries on notice for not reporting on their enforcement of sanctions against Al Qaeda and the Taliban and set a March 31 deadline to comply with the decision.

The resolution, adopted unanimously, gives the sanctions committee new powers to assess the steps taken by states to implement the decisions on asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo against two groups and Osama bin Laden.

The 15-member council has been concerned that nearly 100 of the 191 member states have failed to submit reports on their actions to enforce sanctions. The council said it would name the states not complying with it's decision.

Chile's ambassador Heraldo Munoz, the committee chairman, told reporters he would publicly identify countries that didn't submit a report, whether it was because of a lack of political will, technical problems, or for some other reason.

Earlier this month, Mr Munoz said that identifying the countries not complying with the decision would be more than a matter of "naming and shaming".

The council must also close loopholes, adopt tougher measures, and advise countries that enforcing sanctions was mandatory, he said.

"I think there's a strong message to countries to comply," emphasized Mr Munoz, who was also Security Council president for January.

The resolution asks the sanctions committee to give the council a list of countries that do not comply by the deadline.

The resolution calls on states "to move vigorously and decisively to cut the flows of funds and other financial assets and economic resources to individuals and entities associated with the Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden and the Taliban".