JEDDAH, 4 February 2005 — Leading counterterrorism experts, including the Homeland Security adviser to US President George W. Bush, will attend the first international anti-terrorism conference in Riyadh to work out a global strategy to combat terrorism. The unusual gathering of security and intelligence officials from more than 50 countries from Feb. 5 to 8 sends a message of support to Saudi Arabia, which has been battling a wave of violence blamed on Al-Qaeda sympathizers since May 2003. Crown Prince Abdullah is slated to open the conference tomorrow. 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. Saudi officials say the meeting, which also brings together UN and Interpol anti-terrorism experts, will be first of its kind. Participants will pool their experiences in tackling terror, its causes and links to organized crime and propose practical joint steps to curb militant violence, organizers said. The United States will also send counter-terrorism officials from the Treasury and State Departments. “I believe it will demonstrate, once again, that the United States and Saudi Arabia are engaging seriously to identify practical ways to fight terrorism along with other nations,” said US Ambassador James Oberwetter. British Ambassador Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles emphasized the significance of the conference and commended the Saudi government for taking the initiative in organizing such an important event to address issues related to international terrorism. Prince Turki said Saudi Arabia will tell participants about its ongoing efforts to fight terrorism. Al-Qaeda supporters have carried out a series of bombings and shootings in various parts of the Kingdom over the past months, killing more than 100 people including Saudis and Westerners. They also have taken hostages, bombed security targets and residential compounds and attacked the US Consulate in Jeddah. Saudi security forces have either killed or arrested most of the network’s top leaders, and the Kingdom has tightened financial regulations to halt the flow of money to militants. State media, religious scholars and government officials have stressed Islam’s opposition to terrorism. Prince Turki stressed that confronting terrorism should not be confined to dismantling militant groups with military force. Efforts also must be made to tackle its root causes. “We have to address the reasons that lead to the spread of this dangerous phenomenon,” he said. The registration of delegates started yesterday at the Riyadh Intercontinental. After the opening ceremony, a series of workshops will be held focusing on the roots of terrorism, the relationship between terrorism, money laundering and weapons trafficking, experience of countries in combating terrorism as well as terrorist organizations and their composition. There will be discussions on ways to promote international cooperation to fight terrorism.
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