International Terrorism: The War Continues

The G-8 nations have committed themselves to a range of measures aimed at seizing terrorist assets.  The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group has adopted an ambitious antiterrorist finance action plan.

As a result, it's much harder for terrorists to raise and move money.  Many who have formerly provided financial support for terrorism seem to have backed away.  Some facilitators have been captured or arrested.  The international banking system is no longer a system that terrorists can safely use.  Terrorists must now look over their shoulders, wondering if it is safe to move, raise funds, plan and conduct operations.

As a direct result of our efforts, terrorist attacks are declining. That’s right—DECLINING. We saw a 44% drop in global terrorist attacks in 2002. Attacks against American interests abroad fell even further—65%—from 2001.

These numbers are impressive, and clearly show that our strategy to defeat the terrorist scourge is working. However, despite our success, it’s important to note that total victory in the war on terrorism is not near—far from it.

In fact, the terrorist threat remains very real. Although we have severely weakened the Al-Qaida terrorist network, it is still a lethal enemy, capable of planning and carrying out terrorist attacks globally. Just a little over a week ago, our friends in Pakistan, a key ally in this coalition, disrupted a potentially pestilent Al-Qaida scheme directed at our Consulate in Karachi.

Over the past two years, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security has tracked well over 1,000 terrorist threats directed against U.S. interests overseas. Terrorists continue to threaten our embassies, consulates, and employees. The threats that we face and investigate on a daily basis range from a drive by shooting of a residence to the horrific possibility of a CBRN-type attack.

We continue to receive, with varying degrees of credibility and specificity, information that highlights the fact that terrorists may attack what we call “soft” targets. For example, terrorists continue to target and threaten U.S. businesses, public areas of congregation that have been deemed “Western,”—for example, a restaurant that is identifiable with America, and even churches and religious gathering centers. Indeed, let us not forget the June 2002 church bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan and the bombing in Bali, Indonesia. In addition, individual businessmen could be targeted for assassination or kidnapping.

In the immediate aftermath of the war with Iraq, Anti-American sentiment in the region, currently at an all-time high, continues to rise. The possibility that terrorist elements throughout the world may be further motivated to plan and carry out attacks against American interests remains high.

Despite the obvious challenges that lie ahead, I assure you that both Secretary Powell and I are firmly committed to the safety and security of American business interests abroad—it is a top priority.

Your people, your facilities, and your company is the cornerstones for continued economic growth and stability in the United States. A strong and vigorous private sector that is able to conduct business abroad is essential to our national prosperity and economic interests.

For U.S. companies to be successful abroad, it is imperative that you have the critical information you need to conduct business safely overseas.

Through our Overseas Security Advisory Council [OSAC], one of the preeminent public-private partnerships in the United States, the State Department and the private sector have worked successfully on overseas security issues. Thanks to our strong working relationship and open lines of communication with companies such as ISMA, OSAC has helped create safer environments for employees, families, travelers, facilities, and proprietary information. During times of crisis, it is imperative that we continue to work together through our OSAC relationship to keep our communication lines open. I will personally see to it that you receive the important information you need to ensure the security of your people and interests overseas quickly and efficiently.

Our Overseas Security Advisory Council here in Washington, and our regional security officers overseas, are valuable resource with a wealth of information that are available to provide security guidance and assistance to the entire American business community in their overseas endeavors.

In addition, in a number of cities around the world, OSAC has created “Country Councils”—mini-OSACs designed to enhance the exchange of security-related information abroad. These councils encourage security managers of American private sector enterprises to organize themselves and cope with their security problems by pooling their resources. These council members and our post regional security officers work together to create an exchange of information through which pertinent security information is exchanged in a timely manner.

American companies must have the best possible information to make sound business decisions, especially given the current overseas environment. The economic prosperity of our great nation depends on it. If a decision is made without using the best information, it is not a decision, it is a guess.

Our commitment to the safety and prosperity of the American private sector overseas is strong and vibrant, and you can count on our assistance for many years to come. We are here for you. We are eager to assist you. We will help you eliminate the guesswork.

Thank you.