Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE48478
2009-05-12 21:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO OSCE HEAD OF
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UNCLAS STATE 048478
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL OSCE
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO OSCE HEAD OF
ACTION AGAINST TERRORISM UNIT RAPHAEL PERL
(U) Post is authorized to present the following statement at
the Permanent Council in Vienna on May 14.
Begin text:
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
Mr. Perl, welcome to the Permanent Council and thank you for
your comprehensive report on the status of the work of the
OSCE,s Action against Terrorism Unit.
The United States believes that the counterterrorism work
your unit undertakes in conjunction with other executive
structures is an OSCE "best practice." Through what you have
outlined for us here today, and the ATU,s contribution to
the Report of the Secretary General on OSCE Counterterrorism
Activities, we have some powerful examples of the role a
regional organization can effectively play on a high-priority
international issue.
The United States has been very supportive of the work the
ATU has undertaken to improve travel document security,
particularly with respect to forged travel documents and
machine-readable travel documents. This is an excellent
example of where a regional approach is essential, leading
directly to improved security and mutual confidence. It is
also illustrative of how the OSCE can effectively partner
with international organizations such as Interpol, ICAO and
others to provide participating States with a single,
integrated and comprehensive effort on their behalf.
The United States has also been supportive of the ATU,s
efforts over the past several years to highlight the positive
role public-private partnerships can play in the fight
against terrorism. Now is the time to start applying that
concept to real-world examples; we welcome the fact that the
ATU is working to develop specific projects and programs in
the area of critical energy infrastructure and cooperation
with media. We must emphasize that these efforts should be
geared toward providing practical results for participating
States.
In these areas and others, a thoughtful approach is
essential. As the Secretary General,s comprehensive report
amply demonstrates, there are a number of other OSCE
executive structures involved in combating terrorism,
including ODIHR and the Representative on the Freedom of the
Media. It is imperative that, in fighting against both
terrorism and the extremism that often fuels it, we do so in
accordance with the values which underpin our participation
in the OSCE, namely upholding the rule of law and respecting
human rights and fundamental freedoms, including of speech
and assembly. We support the contribution of multiple
voices, including from civil society, which are needed to
effect significant and long-lasting progress in our fight
against terrorism.
We are supportive of the work the ATU has done in
facilitating a dialogue on counterterrorism. We believe that
the most effective way to build on that legacy is to
concentrate increasingly on achieving tangible and measurable
results through focused program activities. We will continue
to lend our strong support to those areas that deliver
genuine and visible results.
In the months ahead, we hope the ATU will take a hard look at
ways in which it can support OSCE efforts to assist
Afghanistan, through partnerships, for example with
neighboring states in Central Asia. We also hope the ATU
will actively seek out ways to support and reinforce efforts
outlined in the report under UNSCR 1540 to combat the threat
posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by
non-state actors. Here, as in other areas, the OSCE has
demonstrated a leading role in creating useful synergies with
the UN,s approach.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
End text.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL OSCE
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO OSCE HEAD OF
ACTION AGAINST TERRORISM UNIT RAPHAEL PERL
(U) Post is authorized to present the following statement at
the Permanent Council in Vienna on May 14.
Begin text:
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
Mr. Perl, welcome to the Permanent Council and thank you for
your comprehensive report on the status of the work of the
OSCE,s Action against Terrorism Unit.
The United States believes that the counterterrorism work
your unit undertakes in conjunction with other executive
structures is an OSCE "best practice." Through what you have
outlined for us here today, and the ATU,s contribution to
the Report of the Secretary General on OSCE Counterterrorism
Activities, we have some powerful examples of the role a
regional organization can effectively play on a high-priority
international issue.
The United States has been very supportive of the work the
ATU has undertaken to improve travel document security,
particularly with respect to forged travel documents and
machine-readable travel documents. This is an excellent
example of where a regional approach is essential, leading
directly to improved security and mutual confidence. It is
also illustrative of how the OSCE can effectively partner
with international organizations such as Interpol, ICAO and
others to provide participating States with a single,
integrated and comprehensive effort on their behalf.
The United States has also been supportive of the ATU,s
efforts over the past several years to highlight the positive
role public-private partnerships can play in the fight
against terrorism. Now is the time to start applying that
concept to real-world examples; we welcome the fact that the
ATU is working to develop specific projects and programs in
the area of critical energy infrastructure and cooperation
with media. We must emphasize that these efforts should be
geared toward providing practical results for participating
States.
In these areas and others, a thoughtful approach is
essential. As the Secretary General,s comprehensive report
amply demonstrates, there are a number of other OSCE
executive structures involved in combating terrorism,
including ODIHR and the Representative on the Freedom of the
Media. It is imperative that, in fighting against both
terrorism and the extremism that often fuels it, we do so in
accordance with the values which underpin our participation
in the OSCE, namely upholding the rule of law and respecting
human rights and fundamental freedoms, including of speech
and assembly. We support the contribution of multiple
voices, including from civil society, which are needed to
effect significant and long-lasting progress in our fight
against terrorism.
We are supportive of the work the ATU has done in
facilitating a dialogue on counterterrorism. We believe that
the most effective way to build on that legacy is to
concentrate increasingly on achieving tangible and measurable
results through focused program activities. We will continue
to lend our strong support to those areas that deliver
genuine and visible results.
In the months ahead, we hope the ATU will take a hard look at
ways in which it can support OSCE efforts to assist
Afghanistan, through partnerships, for example with
neighboring states in Central Asia. We also hope the ATU
will actively seek out ways to support and reinforce efforts
outlined in the report under UNSCR 1540 to combat the threat
posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by
non-state actors. Here, as in other areas, the OSCE has
demonstrated a leading role in creating useful synergies with
the UN,s approach.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
End text.
CLINTON