20 December 2001
Transcript: U.S. Statement on Bishkek Conference on Terrorism
(Amb. Minikes remarks to OSCE Permanent Council Dec. 20) (830)
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) must
act to transform into "quantifiable actions" the proposals agreed to
at the recently-concluded Bishkek conference on combating
international terrorism, U.S. diplomat Stephan M. Minikes told the
OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna December 20.
He said these concrete actions must include implementing United
Nations protocols on terrorism, severing terrorists' financial
lifelines, and improving cooperation among law enforcement agencies
and financial institutions.
Ambassador Minikes also called for preventative measures to "ensure
that our societies are ones in which terrorists cannot thrive" -- open
and inclusive social structures with economic opportunities for all,
pluralistic debate, and a political commitment to conflict resolution.
"We will continue to reject any efforts to use terrorists' political
or religious motivations to rationalize or explain away bombings,
assassinations, hijackings and other forms of terrorist violence," he
added.
Following is a transcript of his statement:
(begin transcript)
United States Mission to the OSCE
STATEMENT ON THE BISHKEK INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Delivered by Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes to the Permanent Council,
Vienna December 20, 2001
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to thank once again our Kyrgyz hosts and Ambassador
Hoeynck for their efforts in putting on a useful and very timely
conference. The meetings in Bishkek brought interested parties,
substantive experts and concrete proposals together. We believe it was
an important contributory element in the global fight against
terrorism. The challenge that now lies before us is to transform the
discussions into quantifiable actions. The success of the conference,
after all, will not be measured by the documents produced, but by the
implementation of the proposals generated in Bishkek, as well as those
our Ministers agreed to in Bucharest.
We must move immediately to implement the provisions of the UN
conventions and protocols regarding terrorism. We must work to sever
terrorists' financial lifelines, improve cooperation among law
enforcement agencies and financial institutions, and implement
internationally accepted principles of financial transparency and
accountability.
Terrorists frequently use the existence of economic deprivation,
political oppression, and social inequality to justify their murderous
acts. Such conditions, to be sure, are all too common. However, they
can never excuse acts of physical and psychological violence against
innocent non-combatants. Many members of the international community
have come to accept the principle that terrorism is a crime, and that
states and individuals that assist terrorists in any way are equally
guilty. We must ensure that terrorists and their sponsors face swift
retribution for their offenses against humanity. We will continue to
reject any efforts to use terrorists' political or religious
motivations to rationalize or explain away bombings, assassinations,
hijackings and other forms of terrorist violence.
We must also do all we can to take preventative measures against
terrorism. We must ensure that our societies are ones in which
terrorists cannot thrive, that our societies are ones in which human
rights are respected, and in which rule of law, freedom of expression,
tolerance, and democracy strengthen stability. As so many noted in
Bishkek, societies of inclusion, with economic opportunities for all,
pluralistic debate, a political commitment to conflict resolution, and
where integration does not mean losing one's identity, are those where
extremists have the least chance of generating sympathy and support
from the moderate majority.
Preventative measures play to the OSCE's strength: its comprehensive
approach to security, and the active engagement of the Human and
Economic and Environmental Dimensions. Fighting terrorism is not -- as
Ambassador De Fonblanque noted -- just about security policy and firm
legal action. It is about providing a forum where grievances and
perceived grievances can be aired. Such a forum might be an open
political dialogue or a transparent debate conducted via a free and
independent media. Impartial and democratic judiciaries are also
essential by providing a forum for aggrieved parties to seek relief.
Combating terrorism cannot be done effectively unless protection of
civil rights, rule of law and democracy are either instituted,
preserved or strengthened. A strong civil society, where NGOs are able
to function freely, is tremendously important in this regard.
Finally, preventative steps to combat terrorism must include economic
measures -- not just those that choke off terrorist financing, but
also those that provide the foundation for economic and business
development. All members of society ought to feel free that they have
the chance for economic self-betterment; the inability to play in the
mainstream economy is but one of the factors that leads to feelings of
disenfranchisement which in turn may engender support for extremist
causes.
In Bishkek we outlined an ambitious course of action with concrete
steps which -- if taken -- and I would like to reemphasize "if taken"
-- can make a real contribution to the fight against terrorism and to
bolstering security and stability. The real challenge is before us:
making good on our commitments and ideas. I look forward to all of us
getting together to work on this right away.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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