Editor's Note:

This Item of Interest provides an update on the international Counter Terrorism conference hosted by Saudi Arabia. It opens Saturday, February 5 and runs through Tuesday, February 8. 

This IOI includes excerpts from the conference web site and an article discussing the focus of the conference. We wish to thank Arab News for permission to reprint the article, "Global Meet to Discuss Dirty Money, Terror Link," by P.K. Abdul Ghafour.

"Throughout history, human societies have suffered from terrorism. In recent times, the severity of such suffering has increased to the extent that terrorism has become a global phenomenon, a major preoccupation and a cause of concern for all seekers of peace, security and stability.

"This calls for international efforts aimed at effectively containing and warding off terrorism in a serious, responsible, and just manner that will ensure its elimination, the preservation of innocent lives, and the safeguard of national sovereignty, stability, and international peace and security.

"Based on these facts, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is concerned with mobilizing international efforts to confront and uproot terrorism, prevent its growth, and stop its funding sources. This Conference aims at augmenting the persistent endeavors to confront terrorism through mustering wide range efforts that involve affected countries. 

"It is also geared toward exchanging views and expertise, and reaching appropriate recommendations and suggestions to combat this scourge."


Counter Terrorism - International Conference

Global Meet to Discuss Dirty Money, Terror Link
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 29 January 2005 - Delegates from 49 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Russia, as well as representatives of several international organizations will participate in the first global anti-terror conference in Riyadh from Feb. 5 to 8.

Crown Prince Abdullah will open the four-day event at the newly established King Abdul Aziz Convention Center in the capital, Al-Jazirah Arabic daily reported.

The Foreign Ministry has completed preparations for the conference that will highlight Saudi Arabia's efforts to combat terrorism.

The conference will discuss ways to eradicate the root causes of global terrorism and measures to help tackle money laundering as well as drug and arms smuggling.

The discussions will focus on four topics: Roots of terrorism; relation between terrorism and drugs; the culture of terrorism; and the relation between terrorism and arms smuggling and money laundering.

A number of heads of state and presidents of international organizations are expected to take part in the conference aimed at exchanging information and experience and fostering cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

"We have invited all countries that have suffered from terrorism to the conference and all have agreed to take part," said Prince Turki ibn Muhammad, assistant undersecretary for political affairs at the Foreign Ministry.

The conference underlines the Saudi government's call for joint international efforts to confront and root out terrorism and address the reasons that lead to the spread of this dangerous phenomenon and freeze its financial sources.

The participants include 14 Arab countries including Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Jordan and Algeria and 14 non-Arab Asian countries including Japan, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran and the Philippines.

Leading international organizations participating in the event are the United Nations, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Arab League, European Union, Gulf Cooperation Council, African Union, Non-Aligned Movement and the Makkah-based Muslim World League.

Reprinted with permission
Arab News
 
Conference Objectives

To highlight the concepts and causes of terrorism and the historical, ideological and cultural developments fuelling terrorism in human communities;

To illustrate the relationships between terrorism and money laundering on one hand and between it and narcotics and arms trafficking on the other;

To identify the structural aspects, composition and working patterns of terrorist organizations; To share the experiences of participating countries and international organizations in combating international terrorism and to exchange information and expertise;

To reach practical conclusions and suggestions to support international efforts in fighting terrorism.

Participating Countries