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The President of the Republic Address at the International Conference Fighting Terrorism for Humanity in New York, on 22 September 200322.09.2003
Mr Secretary General,
Dear Colleagues,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to commend on the initiative taken by Norway and the International Peace Academy, which has brought us together today.
I would like to dwell upon three aspects, playing a significant role in our joint efforts to combat terrorism: protection of strategic infrastructure and personnel, enhancement of international cooperation and a need for an in-depth analysis of terrorism as a socio-political phenomenon.
Slightly more than a month ago terrorists committed a crime against the staff of the United Nations Organisation, which voluntarily came to the assistance of the people of Iraq. Together with their families, friends and colleagues, the people of Estonia are in mourning. We are also in mourning over the brutal assassination of Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh. In her we have lost a person firmly believing in the UN Charter, acting in the name of a better future and whose commitment was a model for all of us. Terrorism and violence cannot break our will to fight for peace and democracy.
The attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad revealed that in order to prevent terrorist attacks, also tactics applicable in crime prevention should be increasingly resorted to. Such an approach would significantly reduce the chances of a terrorist attack. In operational terms it will mean enhanced security measures vis-ą-vis potential targets of terrorists. Events on 19 August as well as several other previous terrorist attacks show that it is not only military sites and servicemen who are terrorists' targets. Targets of attack are more and more also infrastructure of symbolic or strategic importance, institutions and persons as well as densely populated areas. Heightened security and physical protection of sites or individuals would not abolish a threat but could reduce it and save a few lives. Timely intelligence, rapid processing and efficient analysis thereof would also enhance efficiency.
Mr Secretary General,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to touch upon international cooperation to contain terrorism. With this I mean not only inter-state or regional cooperation but also a need to improve global cooperation. Unfortunately we have to admit that we have not managed to overcome certain controversies in defining terrorism and treating risk analyses and activities. This dissent of opinion hinders practical anti-terrorist cooperation.
Estonia holds on to a stance that conflicts between states fighting terrorism open up new possibilities for terrorists to resort to violence. Terrorism is our common challenge and containment takes fully concerted efforts. International terrorism is an ever-increasing threat to the stability and welfare of all states and global security as a whole.
In view of the above, we should use more extensively mechanisms created by the UN Security Council in order to harmonise our anti-terrorist activity. I call upon all member states to cooperate with the Counter Terrorism Committee on a more substantial and ongoing basis. Besides a reporting and monitoring system, the network of databases and experts allows the member states to get necessary advice from the most up-to-date sources. Let us use these possibilities in the interest of global cooperation.
Fortunately no crime defined as a terrorist act has been committed in Estonia as yet, although as realists we see a deepening threat as well. We have been with our allies acting consistently preventing and containing terrorism. Estonia has done it directly, sending units to Afghanistan and Iraq but also indirectly, ratifying all twelve UN anti-terrorist conventions. It is with determination that Estonia has implemented necessary national preventive measures to combat terrorism and cut off its funds. We have supported coordinated anti-terrorist activity on an international level through intensified bilateral, regional and global cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
However, fight against terrorism will not be effective until we agree upon a generally accepted definition of terrorism. It is also necessary to draft a long-term comprehensive strategy to eradicate the roots, reasons and advocates of terrorism and extreme fundamentalism. Figuratively speaking - you cannot cure a patient without having the right diagnosis.
Allow me to disagree with the argument that terrorism is irrational. For terrorists and their advocates the use of violence is deliberate and, therefore, a rational tool. Terrorist methods are mostly resorted to in order to accomplish political, religious and social objectives or combinations thereof.
It is necessary to differentiate between different forms and types of the phenomenon called terrorism and to examine carefully the underlying reasons. I am convinced that by merely containing the consequences - i.e. terrorism - we cannot eradicate the problem. The fight should start from preventing and removing reasons. Allow me to reiterate - we should prevent the disease. We can accomplish this together by paying more attention to social problems, education and upbringing of the young. Understanding the nature of various violent forms of terrorism, we will be able to fight them more efficiently.
Apart from anti-terrorist military operations, which are definitely necessary and an extremely efficient tool in short-term, we should focus more on studying socio-economic reasons of international terrorism. The UN plays here a very significant role. An analysis of various socio-political fields should include concrete motions to solve the current problems. Herewith I would like to commend as a good example an analysis and action plan on relationships between development cooperation and terrorism drafted by Denmark.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
However, I would like to conclude on a more optimistic note. Although we are facing an endless-looking heavy workload and I am afraid also a few setbacks, I am convinced that we will be successful in combating terrorism. This hope should be strong enough an incentive to forget conflicts and dissent of opinion and work together in the name of common goals.
Thank you for your attention.
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