Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE)

The Organization of American States was the first multilateral organization to condemn the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  On September 21, OAS foreign ministers called for a number of strong counterterrorism measures, including the convening of a meeting of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism, to “identify urgent actions aimed at strengthening inter-American cooperation to prevent, combat, and eliminate terrorism in the hemisphere.”  The Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (known by its Spanish acronym “CICTE”) was established by the OAS in June 1999 by means of a General Assembly Resolution (AG 1650) entitled  “Hemispheric Cooperation to Prevent, Combat and Eliminate Terrorism.”  CICTE held its first regular meeting in Miami in 1999.  Its original mandate was to:

·        Enhance exchange of information via national authorities;
·       Compile agreements of legal and regulatory norms on preventing, combating, and eliminating terrorism, and study appropriate mechanisms to ensure more effective application of such international norms;
·       Assist states in drafting national counterterrorism legislation;
·       Promote adherence to, and implementation of, international counterterrorism conventions;
·       Enhance border cooperation and travel document security measures; and
·       Expand access to counterterrorism training and crisis management activities.

The Department of State Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism Steven Monblatt chairs CICTE, and Argentina’s OAS Ambassador Raul Ricardes serves as Vice-Chair.

Since September 11, special meetings of CICTE were held in October and November and three subcommittees formed to focus on practical antiterrorism measures in the following areas:

·        Border Controls (chaired by Peru);
·        Financial Controls (chaired by Colombia); and
·        CICTE Work Plan for 2002-2003 (chaired by El Salvador).

The subcommittees crafted specific plans of action that were approved by the ministerial-level meeting of the Committee in Washington, D.C. on January 28-29, 2002.   Delegations reported on steps taken by their countries since September 11 to implement counterterrorism measures. 

In 2002, CICTE will focus on border and financial controls, developing a network of counterterrorism experts, and establishing a hemispheric training program.  A small Secretariat staffed by an Executive Secretary and personnel seconded by the OAS and OAS member states will coordinate CICTE’s activities.