Feingold Addresses Role of African Nations in Terrorist Threat Senator Says Failed African States Give Terrorism the Opportunity to Thrive   March 27, 2002 Racine, WI - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today highlighted his efforts to address the danger posed by war-torn African nations that may serve as havens for terrorist activity. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Africa Subcommittee, Feingold is working to develop policies to help bring stability to African nations and make them less vulnerable to terrorist and other criminal activities. "Our national interests are at stake in Africa, especially in the wake of the tragic events of September 11th," Feingold said. "As U.S. intelligence agencies have discovered, war-torn African nations like Somalia and Sierra Leone can be havens for terrorist networks. Unless we take action to make these nations less vulnerable to terrorist activity, we may well reap the consequences here at home." Feingold discussed the potential for terrorism in African nations where war, poverty, and the scourge of the HIV/AIDS epidemic create an environment in which criminal networks and their terrorist counterparts can thrive. Feingold pointed out that in 1998, Al Qaeda perpetrated attacks on the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 223 people -- Kenyans, Tanzanians, and Americans -- and wounded thousands more. To address the future terrorist threat that unstable African nations might pose, Feingold called for policies that re-engage the U.S. with African nations, both to foster peace and stability, and to ensure better access to information about possible terrorist activities. "In the post-September 11th era, I am confident that America will rise to the challenges before us, and seize this moment to join with the people of Africa to build a future in which each of us is more secure," Feingold said. "For America’s sake, and for Africa’s, we cannot afford to do anything less." Feingold held his 17th Listening Session of 2002, and his 665th since he was first elected at the Golden Rondelle Theater beginning at 1:30 p.m. He held his 18th session of the year, and 666th since he was first elected, at the Kenosha Public Museum starting 3:30 p.m. This is Feingold’s tenth year of holding Listening Sessions in every county.

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