For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 24, 2002
Joint Statement on Counterterrorism Cooperation
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V. Putin on Counterterrorism Cooperation
Reaffirming our commitment expressed on October 21, 2001 to fight
terrorism in all its forms wherever it may occur, we commend the
efforts of the worldwide coalition against terrorism since the tragic
events of September 11, 2001. The member nations of the coalition must
continue their concerted action to deny safe haven to terrorists; to
destroy their financial, logistical, communications, and other
operational networks; and to bring terrorists to justice. We note with
satisfaction that U.S.-Russia counterterrorism cooperation is making an
important contribution to the global coalition against terrorism.
A successful campaign against terrorism must be conducted by
nations through bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, and
requires a multifaceted approach that employs law enforcement,
intelligence, diplomatic, political, and economic actions. We stress
that initiatives against terrorism must be conducted in an atmosphere
of rule of law and with respect for universal human rights.
Recognizing the importance of multilateral counterterrorism
efforts, such as those under the auspices of the United Nations, the
Group of Eight, the European Union, the OSCE, the "Six Plus Two" group,
and NATO-Russia, we encourage the further development of regional
counterterrorism initiatives, including within the framework of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its cooperation with the United
States, that improve information-sharing, law enforcement cooperation,
and border security. Of these institutions, we note that the UN
Security Council Counterterrorism Committee plays a key coordinating
role in the struggle against international terrorism. In support of
regional cooperation, the United States is sponsoring a
counterterrorism conference in June 2002 to include participation from
the Central Asian and Caucasus states, Afghanistan, Turkey, China, and
Russia.
We call upon all nations to implement fully the provisions of UN
Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 1368, 1373, 1377
and 1390, directed against terrorism, the Taliban, and al-Qaida, and to
become parties at the earliest opportunity to the twelve international
antiterrorism conventions, including the Convention for the Suppression
of the Financing of Terrorism. The United States supports conclusion
of the Russian-proposed nuclear terrorism convention, and joins Russia
in urging other nations to enlist in the efforts to resolve the
outstanding issues related to the text. We call upon all nations to
take steps to comply with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
recommendations on money laundering and terrorist financing. We shall
work to block the financial assets of named terrorists and their
organizations without delay.
We underscore the need to bring to a logical conclusion efforts to
eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan related to Usama
Bin Laden, the al-Qaida organization, and the Taliban. Afghanistan
should never again be a haven for terrorism. Reaffirming our support
for the important role of the UN in efforts to implement successfully
the Bonn Agreement, including the upcoming Loya Jirga, we share a
vision of a stable, independent Afghanistan at peace with its neighbors
and the rest of the world and on the road to a more prosperous future.
We recognize the links between illegal drug trafficking and
terrorism and stress the importance of U.S.-Russia cooperation on
counternarcotics. Both our countries are dedicated to continuing their
support for regional initiatives, such as those of the "Six Plus Two"
Working Group on Drugs, to encourage cooperation among member countries
and to strengthen their counternarcotics capabilities. We both
strongly support the Afghan Interim Authority's plan to implement its
poppy ban.
Believing that the sovereignty, long-term stability, prosperity,
and further democratic development of the states of Central Asia serve
the strategic interests of the United States and Russia, we pledge
transparency and cooperation in our relations with the states of
Central Asia. An important step for ensuring their security is to
eradicate terrorist activities in Afghanistan once and for all and to
assist in the prevention of their reoccurrence.
We reaffirm our commitment to working with the Government of
Georgia on counterterrorism issues, while upholding Georgian
sovereignty, and hope that the presence of terrorists in this country
will be eliminated. As members of the Friends of the UN
Secretary-General on Georgia, the United States and Russia remain
committed to advancing a peaceful, political resolution of the
conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We pledge to work closely
with all relevant parties to these conflicts to reduce military
tensions, address civilians' security concerns, and foster a lasting
political settlement that preserves Georgia's territorial integrity and
protects the rights of all of those involved in the conflicts. We
highly appreciate the contribution of the UN Security Council,
concerned states, and international mechanisms which participate in
peaceful efforts toward resolution of these conflicts.
We note with satisfaction the entry into force of the Treaty on
Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the United States
of America and the Russian Federation, which will facilitate joint
efforts on criminal and terrorist cases.
We will work to strengthen the exchange of professional know-how
and experience in such areas as transportation security, hostage
takeover, and airplane hijacking, among others.
We will work to strengthen national, bilateral, and multilateral
measures to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
related technologies, and delivery means as an essential element of the
fight against international terrorism and all those who support it.
An important step in our joint cooperation will be a meeting of our
scientists in June. We will seek to develop jointly new technology to
detect nuclear material that can be used to manufacture weapons for
purposes of terrorism.
The U.S.-Russia Working Group on Afghanistan has proven a
successful vehicle for joint efforts between the United States and
Russia to counter terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Recognizing
the increased threat of terrorism originating in other regions of the
world, we have directed that the Working Group's agenda be broadened,
and that it be renamed the U.S.-Russia Working Group on
Counterterrorism. Among other issues, this Working Group will address
the threats posed by nuclear, biological, and chemical terrorism. The
next meeting of the Working Group will take place in the Washington
area in July 2002.
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