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Release Date: 02/17/05 00:00:00
Port au Spain, Trinidad
OAS Fifth Regular Session of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism
February 17, 2005
(Remarks as Prepared)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the Government of Trinidad & Tobago for hosting this important meeting and for assuming the Chair for 2005. I’m also grateful for Colombia’s decision to serve as Vice-Chair. I would like to express our deepest appreciation to Uruguay for their chairmanship over the past year and for Under Secretary Bluth’s leadership. Finally, I thank the Honorable Prime Minister Patrick Manning and other distinguished participants who have joined us in Port of Spain.
Today, we gather not simply as individual nations, but as a unified body committed to securing our hemisphere from the global threat of terrorism. We recognize that we are equally vulnerable, but in unique ways, to the threats of terrorism. Our differences present opportunities for exploitation by terrorists seeking safe-haven, financing, recruiting, or fraudulent travel documents.
We know that terrorists in our hemisphere are increasingly engaged in narcotics and weapons smuggling, and money laundering, as a means to fund their criminal agendas. Nearly as many innocent civilians were murdered last year by three terrorist organizations in Colombia, as were victims of the September 11th attacks.
We call upon CICTE members to stand with Colombia and support the Uribe Administration in the fight to rid their homeland of terror. No single nation can defeat terrorism on its own. Terrorism is an evolving threat and it requires a new level of cooperation and coordination among CICTE members. In our case, the United States undertook a comprehensive review of counterterrorism efforts following the September 11 attacks. First, we developed a National Strategy for Combating Terrorism – to defeat terrorist organizations of global reach, deny them sanctuary, diminish our vulnerabilities, and defend our citizens and interests.
Second, we restructured our government to better secure our homeland. We knew that improving the integration, analysis, and sharing of terrorism-related information, as well as coordinating counterterrorism activity, would be essential to our future security. In response, the Bush Administration and Congress created the Department of Homeland Security, the Terrorist Threat Integration Center and the Terrorist Screening Center. And soon, the United States will establish the National Counter-Terrorism Center and designate a National Intelligence Director.
Third, we recognized the need to enhance border security. We unified our frontline border inspection force, increased training and manpower, utilized new technology, expanded container screening programs, and implemented programs like US-VISIT – a biometrics driven system that has processed 20 million visitors and denied entry to hundreds of criminals, potential terrorists, and immigration violators.
I thank our Canadian neighbors for hosting an important border symposium in Vancouver this past September. And, I recognize Mexico for hosting a Special Summit of the Americas this past January, as well as for working with us in the Border Partnership Accord. Here in the Caribbean, the State Department is conducting a needs-assessment program that focuses on key infrastructure. In Central America, we are supporting a variety of anti-smuggling initiatives. We are also working closely with partners in the 3+1 Group on Tri-border Security to share ideas on improving border security between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. These important security initiatives are designed to disrupt terrorist movement. By integrating document security in CICTE’s work plan, we complement these initiatives.
Fourth, the United States has taken steps to improve transportation security. We urge CICTE members to work with us in this critical area. After September 11th, we instituted a multi-layered strategy for aviation security, including 100 percent screening of passengers and baggage on commercial flights, a dramatic expansion of our Federal Air Marshal Program, and hardening of cockpit doors. We encourage all CICTE members to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization standards, including 100 percent baggage screening, and travel document issuance and handling. We ask CICTE members to partner with the G-8’s Secure and Facilitated International Travel Initiative, which includes guidelines for strict national controls of MANPADS, or shoulder-fired missiles. Further, we encourage CICTE members to enhance coordination on maritime security and to meet the International Maritime Organization’s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code requirements.
Fifth, we must cut off terrorist financing. The United States has designated 40 Foreign Terrorist Organizations and 397 terrorists – freezing their assets and criminalizing acts that constitute material support of terrorism. International cooperation has led to 700 terrorist-related accounts blocked around the world, including 106 in the United States and nearly $140 million in frozen assets. We have conducted training and assessments in Brazil, Panama, Paraguay, and Venezuela. And, we have funded a $5 million regional training program to combat money laundering in the Caribbean.
Finally, we recognize that the ultimate success of the global counterterrorism campaign hinges, in large part, on two factors: sustaining and enhancing the political will of states to fight terrorism and enhancing the capacity of all states to fight terrorism. We must continue to expand cooperation; speak out against terrorism; defend our critical infrastructure, cyber-systems, and international commerce; and marshal our resources to raise our counterterrorism capacity.
We appreciate the voluntary contributions that member states have given to CICTE and we strongly encourage all members to make contributions, whether financially, through personnel, or with in-kind technical assistance. I am pleased to announce that we will contribute $1.6 million to CICTE in 2005, bringing total U.S. cash contributions to more than $5 million since September 11.
In closing, I am reminded of President Bush’s description of terrorists. He said, “They can incite men to murder and suicide, but they cannot inspire men to live, and hope, and add to the progress of their country. We did not seek this war on terror, but this is the world as we find it.”
The Western Hemisphere is more secure because of CICTE. Let us each, as member states, recommit ourselves to greater cooperation, partnership, and the strengthening of our shared values.
Thank you.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on 02/17/05 00:00:00.
