Easier detection of plastic explosives urged by Security Council.

• Position: Terrorism prevention

Easier detection of plastic explosives urged by Security Council

The Security Council has unanimously urged all States, in particular the producers of plastic or sheet explosives, to intensify research into means of making such explosives more easily detectable. The results of such research should be shared in order to device an international regime for the making of plastic or sheet explosives for the purpose of detection, the Council said. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was urged to intensify its work aimed at preventing all acts of terrorism against international civil aviation, in particular its work on devising such an international regime.

In resolution 635 (1989), adopted on 14 June, the Council said that it was deeply concerned by "all acts of unalawful interference against international civil aviation". It also expressed concern "at the ease with which plastic or sheet explosives can be used in acts of terrorism with little risk of detection".

Condemning all acts of unlawful interference against the security of civil aviation, the Council called upon all States to co-operate in devising and implementing measures to prevent all acts of terrorism, including those involving explosives.

Following the adoption of...