Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to welcome the UNODCCP (*), the Council of Europe (COE), the European Union (EU), and the Southeast Europe Cooperative Initiative (SECI) for coming to share information on their commitments and activities to combat terrorism. The United States firmly believes in a coordinated approach to combat terrorism, thereby eliminating "weak links" which terrorists could exploit. The OSCE should focus on concrete actions to combat terrorism. In light of this, we believe the Working Group should examine other international cooperative agreements and plans of action, especially of these organizations, to inform our discussions on developing an Action Plan and expanding actions taken in other fora to all OSCE participating States.

The work that the UN is doing to combat terrorism is invaluable. The United States specifically supports the 12 UN conventions and protocols on terrorism and would encourage the Working Group to consider adding to its Action Plan a "date certain" for when all OSCE participating States are signatories to these documents.

We have also taken note of the European Council's Plan of Action to combat terrorism. We support their call for enhanced police and judicial cooperation. And we concur with their call for increased focus on dialogue and negotiation to settle disputes and secure rule of law and tolerance. We believe the OSCE already has significant expertise in these areas. We should expand our current activities and proficiency in policing, legislative and judicial reform to contribute to combating terrorism. We believe the OSCE could also investigate police training to enhance airport security and maximize efforts that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the European Union's Transport Council are already working on. Steps to increase the effectiveness of our police and legal procedures not only support democracy and rule of law, but also are an effective deterrent to organized crime, a known source of terrorist funding.

Already we have seen cooperation, in SECI, to do just that, to strengthen law enforcement and to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute illegal cross-border activities. The SECI Regional Center for Combating Trans-border Crime initiative is an important first step to deny terrorists weapons and funds, and at the same time this effort can increase legitimate trade and foster economic cooperation. This Working Group should consider ways in which law enforcement cooperation in Southeast Europe can be expanded to all 55 OSCE States.

I would also like to commend the Council of Europe for convening a meeting in Moscow of the European Justice Ministers October 4 - 5, and for proposing an action plan to fight terrorism. Again we support their calls to draft model legislation and support the prosecution of terrorists, including "cyber-terrorists". While I agree that "cyber-terrorism" must be prevented, I would encourage the OSCE to look at any legislation preventing and punishing cyber-terrorism to ensure that it also complies with our freedom of expression commitments.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to again thank the UNODCCP, the COE, the EU, and SECI for being with us this morning. The work that your organizations are doing to support our global coalition to combat terrorism and the values for which you stand - democracy, rule of law, justice, and tolerance - is invaluable. Continued cooperation among our organizations will help not only to combat terrorism, but also help create a world that is safe for all of our citizens.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

(*) United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODCCP)