Contribution of the Republic of Suriname in the Dialogue of Heads of Delegation at the Third Regular Session of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism, January 22-24, 2003, San Salvador, El Salvador.

We are meeting here today to discuss the bilateral, sub-regional and hemispheric aspects in the fight against terrorism as well as to exchange views on new emerging terrorist threats.

This meeting is a reflection of the importance that the member states of this Organization attach to the worldwide fight against terrorism in general and recognition that terrorism is a serious threat to the democracies in our hemisphere, freedoms and our particular way of living.

All states, developed and less developed, great and small are suffering equally under the direct and indirect consequences of international terrorism.

International terrorism has reached a point where terrorists attach no value to human life. Terrorists are prepared to use any means, including sacrificing their own life, to achieve their political or other objectives, no matter how destructive or evil.

Madam Chair,

The recent terrorist tragedies (Kenya, Indonesia, USA, Argentina and Colombia) could have been worse if the terrorists had chosen a weapon of mass destruction to accomplish their horrible goals.

Nuclear and biological weapons can instantly wipe out a great part of civilization, as we know it! They can thus kill millions of innocent people and destroy our ecological system in an instant. It is therefore pivotal that we join forces and do our utmost to ban the production, stockpiling and use of these destructive weapons and see to it that they never reach the hands of terrorists

Caribbean countries have, because of their small size, always faced various security threats, both internal and external. Aware of our vulnerabilities, we realize the importance of taking a regional approach in dealing with the problems we are confronted with and finding ways to prevent any anticipated problems from occurring.

With regard to eliminating terrorist threats in particular, the Government of Suriname has recently signed an agreement with the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) to implement a project on airport security.

Another security issue of great importance to the greater Caribbean region is the transshipment of nuclear waste through the Caribbean Sea. Just the idea of such a shipment being targeted by terrorists in an attack is terrifying enough, and should thus not be left to chance. It is therefore essential that we secure our safety by declaring the Caribbean Sea and airspace an area free of transportation of all forms of nuclear waste.

The lack of control over small arms and other types of hand weapons also pose grave dangers in many member states. One effective way of dealing with this issue is for those countries that manufacture these weapons, to do more in ensuring a ban on the sale of these weapons to non-state groups.

Madam Chair,

In conclusion, there is need for a brand new vision of security with respect to the fight against terror. The Special Conference on Security to be held in Mexico City, Mexico, in May this year, should pave the way to a new security vision that should help bring about a brand new equilibrium.

A coherent vision representing simultaneously respect for all fundamental human rights while confronting the threats of terrorism and drawing upon the international resources and legitimacy of multilateral cooperation.

All member-states should stay united as we seek to tackle international terrorism and its root causes. In this process there is simply no alternative then international cooperation.

Terrorism can only be eliminated internationally, hemispherical and regionally when we unite in a broad undivided coalition, by working together and using all available means including, legal, financial, political, law enforcement and diplomatic means.

Thank you….

Henry L. Mac-Donald LL.M.
(Chief of Delegation and Interim Representative of the Republic of Suriname to the Organization of American States)

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