For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 21, 2001
APEC Leaders Statement on Counter-Terrorism
October 21, 2001
1. Leaders unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist
attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, and express their
deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of a large number of
nationalities and their families and to the people and Government of
the United States of America.
2. Leaders consider the murderous deeds as well as other terrorist
acts in all forms and manifestations, committed wherever, whenever and
by whomsoever as a profound threat to the peace, prosperity and
security of all people, of all faiths, of all nations. Terrorism is
also a direct challenge to APEC's vision of free, open and prosperous
economies, and to the fundamental values that APEC members hold.
3. Leaders reaffirm that it is more important than ever for every
economy to forge ahead in its commitment in achieving Bogor's goal of
free, open trade and investment.
4. Leaders deem it imperative to strengthen international
cooperation at all levels in combating terrorism in a comprehensive
manner and affirm that UN should play a major role in this regard,
especially taking into account the importance of all relevant UN
resolutions.
5. Leaders commit to prevent and suppress all forms of terrorist
acts in the future in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations
and other international law, pledge to implement the UN Security
Council Resolution 1368 and 1373 faithfully and immediately, strongly
support all efforts to strengthen the international anti-terrorism
regime, call for increased cooperation to bring perpetrators to
justice, and also call for early signing and ratification of all basic
universal anti-terrorist conventions including the International
Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.
6. Leaders are determined to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation
in line with specific circumstances in their respective economies,
through:
-- Appropriate financial measures to prevent the flow of funds to
terrorists, including accelerating work on combating financial crimes
through APEC Finance Ministers' working Group on Fighting Financial
Crime and increasing involvement in related international
standard-setting bodies;
-- Adherence by all economies to relevant international
requirements for the security of air and maritime transportation.
Leaders call on Transport Ministers to actively take part in the
discussions on enhancing airport, aircraft, and port security, achieve
effective outcomes as early as possible, and assure full implementation
and cooperation in this regard;
-- Strengthening of energy security in the region through the
mechanism of the APEC Energy Security Initiative, which examines
measures to respond to temporary supply disruptions and longer-term
challenges facing the region's energy supply;
-- Strengthening of APEC activities in the area of critical sector
protection, including telecommunications, transportation, health and
energy.
-- Enhancement of customs communication networks and expeditious
development of a global integrated electronic customs network, which
would allow customs authorities to better enforce laws while minimizing
the impact on the flow of trade.
-- Cooperation to develop electronic movement records systems that
will enhance border security while ensuring movement of legitimate
travelers is not disrupted.
-- Strengthening capacity building and economic and technical
cooperation to enable member economies to put into place and enforce
effective counter-terrorism measures.
-- Cooperation to limit the economic fallout from the attacks and
move to restore economic confidence in the region through policies and
measures to increase economic growth as well as ensure stable
environment for trade, investment, travel and tourism.
7. Leaders also pledge to cooperate fully to ensure that
international terrorism does not disrupt economies and markets, through
close communication and cooperation among economic policy and financial
authorities.
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