Homeland Security

DATE=1/24/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=DAVOS / TERRORISM (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-298761

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=DAVOS

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

INTRO: U-S Attorney General John Ashcroft has told delegates at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that there must be greater global cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Mr. Ashcroft told delegates that preventing terrorist attacks must be the number one global priority. V-O-A's Dale Gavlak has more from Davos.

TEXT: Attorney General Ashcroft told the conference that since the September 11th attacks the United States has adjusted its strategy in the fight against terrorism. In addition to hunting down those responsible for terrorist attacks, he says the United States is now devoting more attention to stopping attacks from taking place.

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We have shifted our priority from prosecution to prevention.

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Mr. Ashcroft says the first priority of the United States in the war on terrorism is to preserve freedom and democratic values. These values, he adds, also guide America in its fight against terrorism.

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We have to be careful to tailor our response so we are productive in what we do without sacrificing our fundamental values.

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Another speaker, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez, spoke about his country's long-standing battle against terrorism, which he stressed was not just Colombia's problem. He says the terrorists and drug lords will soon be moving on to neighboring countries.

///VELEZ ACT///

If we do not stop terrorism in Colombia, terrorism through drugs will destroy the Amazon basin.

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Mr. Velez says much of the Amazon jungle has already been destroyed for drug production. He argues that, in the long term, Colombia's terrorism poses a bigger threat than Iraq. (Signed)

NEB/DG/KL/KBK/FC