International Solidarity Against Terrorism

Chairman Lok Deep Thapa, President Prathad Pathak, Ambassador Saran, Board Members, Fellow Speakers, and Distinguished Guests:

Thank you for inviting me today for your program on International Solidarity against Terrorism. It is a subject that is of primary concern not only to the United States but to all nations and their peoples, highlighted since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Airliner that crashed in Pennsylvania in the United States on September 11, 2001.

While the use of fear and terrorism to gain control is nothing new in the history of the world – it has been used since time immemorial by rebellious groups challenging legitimate governments – the current age of globalization also brought about the internationalization of terrorism.

Its manifestations started in the early 1970s as a result of the Israeli-Arab conflict with the hijacking of airplanes on international routes, moved on to pirating of a cruiseship and the murder of an American passenger, attacks at the Olympic Games, to the bombings of U.S. Military Barracks and Embassies abroad, and culminated in the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon two years ago yesterday.
Even though it appeared that these terrorists had singled out Americans and America as targets for their objective of hatred and destruction, people from many other nations have suffered and perished in those international attacks. In the World Trade Center alone, there were victims from over 90 other countries. I do ot need to remind this audience of the suffering that terrorist attacks have caused here. In your region, your neighboring states also have been victims. I can speak from personal experience of witnessing heinous terrorist acts during my service in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We are all close witnesses to the range of attacks against the great nation of India to our south, a nation that is coolly facing terrorism even as we speak. Terrorism has raised its ugly head in areas ranging from Northern Ireland to the Philippines where I recently served, in Central and South America, and Indonesia – the list, unfortunately goes on and on.

It is always a pretty good idea to quote one’s boss in public, so permit me to quote mine. Assistant Secretary for South Asia, Christina Rocca, just yesterday in remarks to the Confederation of Indian Industry in New Delhi noted: “in every instance, Indian and American objectives, far from being antithetical, are in fact complementary: India seeks a regional environment free of unrest, subversion and terrorism; the United States shares that objective. India seeks a regional environment where economic growth, trade, and peaceful cross-national ties can prosper; the United States shares that objective too.

In Nepal, we seek an end to the Maoist violence and insurgency that has already left thousands dead. The Maoists have shown themselves to be a ruthless enemy by their tactics in the field and through terrorist attacks against both government and innocent civilian targets. U.S. programs in Nepal are intended to facilitate the government’s efforts both to restore security and to focus on development and poverty eradication – some of the social ills that initially gave rise to the Maoists. India’s historic, cultural and social ties with Nepal continue to make it the most important outside influence on events in that country. Working in tandem, and with the full approval and coordination of the government of Nepal -- in a spirit of cooperation not interference -- our governments can help Nepal defeat the Maoist threat and re-establish democratic institutions responsive to the needs of the people.

In response to the increasing serious terrorist incidents throughout the world, the United States Congress in 1983 authorized the establishment of the antiterrorism assistance program, a special program designed to enhance the antiterrorism skill of friendly countries by providing training and equipment necessary to deter and counter terrorist threats.

This program’s goals are to provide assistance in strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and friendly nations, to provide training and equipment to deter terrorism at all levels, and to increase respect for human rights through effective training and cooperation. It has been expanded considerably following the events of September 11, 2001, and 127 countries are now signatories to this program. Nepal, I am happy to say, is one of the countries that has signed on to the program. To date, almost 200 Nepali police officers have been trained under the auspices of our bilateral agreement, at a cost of approximately one million dollars. Training has included such topics as airport security, crisis management, crime scene investigation, and investigative case management. We are exploring other areas of assistance, including combating criminal financial extortion that is now sapping the strength of the nation and this extortion must cease, as well as money-laundering. In South Asia, police forces of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India are also receiving training under this program.

Given the political situation in nepal, this agreement has come under undeserved scrutiny and even, by certain elements, has been accused of being specifically engineered to interfere unduly in the internal affairs of Nepal. Let me disabuse you of that notion. The only people who should be worried about this type of agreement are the terrorists. The antiterrorism activities agreement is actually designed to be an encouragement to friendly countries to join in the international effort to fight global terrorism.

The United States government, through this embassy, has been consistent in its encouragement and support of dialogue between the government and the rebel so-called maoist forces to resolve their conflict; and we have made our stance known to all parties as well as publicly through the media.

We deplore the break-down of the most recent peace dialogue between the government and the so-called Maoist rebels caused by the Maoists’ deceitful return to violence; we continue to encourage the legitimate political parties to put aside their differences and take up a positive, active role in promoting sincere, serious discussions designed to lead to an end of the violence that threatens not only the people of nepal as individuals, but undermines the ability of Nepal to take its rightful place among the democratic and prosperous nations of the world.

A few days ago, Nepal’s delegation has set out for Cancun, Mexico, to participate in the World Trade Organization’s Summit with the purpose of Nepal becoming a member of that organization. This process will establish Nepal as one of the first economically disadvantaged countries to gain membership in this international body designed to facilitate trade between signatory states and thus gaining an acknowledged place and voice in the rapidly expanding global economy.

While there is and should be active debate over various components of the present and future face of the WTO, your organization and your members, both in the United States and in Nepal, are already well aware of and working towards the benefits offered by this membership. International prosperity, economic opportunity for all is the best check on terrorism. To take full advantage of these economic opportunities, I strongly encourage you to raise your voices in support of efforts designed to help end the current crisis, to bring political and economic stability and prosperity to nepal. Your voices are vital – you are among the privileged few to have been exposed to a way of life and doing business in other countries and you have drawn your lessons from your international experience. Don’t let yourselves fall into the trap of becoming voices of silence that will be judged by history to have stood aside rather than taking an active part in guiding the fate of your country. Remember the wise saying: “the easiest way for evil to succeed is when good men and women stood silent.”

Let me assure you that the United States stands fully behind you in your efforts.

It is now up to you, Nepalis living in Nepal and Nepalis living abroad, to make a concerted effort towards your aim of fulfilling the potential of your country and its peoples – a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Nepal that will be a valid and valued member of an international body of world trading partners. The United States Government very much values your collaboration in our joint effort at eradicating the threat of international terrorism, a threat that is very real to all of us in our striving for a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous world.

I applaud the work of the Foundation of Nepalese in America in arranging this forum, in getting involved in the issues that affect Nepal, and in adding your voices to the democratic chorus of public discourse in the United States.
Thank you.