#2 - RW 273
Nezavismaya Gazeta
September 11, 2003
Allies Against Terrorism
By Alexander Vershbow, U.S. Ambassador to Russia

Civilization marks anniversaries of events that change the course of history. The unprecedented viciousness of the September 11 attacks that killed more than 3,000 men, women, and children from 90 countries provoked almost unanimous condemnation from the international community. September 11 challenged nations to choose sides in a global war on terrorism. It is a challenge that we are meeting and will continue to meet. As President Bush declared on October 11, 2001, "The world has come together to fight a new and different war, the first, and we hope the only one, of the 21st century; a war against all those who seek to export terror and a war against those governments that support or shelter them."

In the two years since the attacks, in partnership with our friends and allies, we have made significant advances in the global campaign against terrorism. The Taliban could not have been toppled so quickly in Afghanistan and a democratic government established in Kabul without the important logistical, intelligence, humanitarian and political assistance that Russia provided. With other coalition partners we are methodically and inexorably dismantling the al-Qaida web. More than 3,000 al-Qaida suspects have been detained, $137 million used to support their operations has been frozen, and dozens more terrorist leaders with ties to al-Qaida have been arrested. Pakistan alone has taken more than 500 terrorist suspects into custody.

Between March and May the United States led coalition partners in a successful military campaign in Iraq. Although Russia and some other allies did not agree with our decision to use military force, realistically, there was simply no other way to rid the world of a despotic regime, which had a history of using weapons of mass destruction, harbored and supported terrorists, suppressed human rights, and repeatedly defied the just demands of the United Nations. Despite our disagreement, our common cause in ending the suffering of the Iraqi people led the Security Council on May 22 to end economic sanctions on Iraq, to set out the responsibilities of the United Nations in Iraq, and support the establishment of a transitional administration run by Iraqis. Secretary Powell recently put forward a new draft Security Council resolution on Iraq that would authorize creation of a U.N.-sanctioned peacekeeping force under U.S. command. We believe this resolution is a further step in restoring Iraq to its citizens and builds upon earlier resolutions.

The Coalition Authority and UN are making progress in Iraq's post-war reconstruction. Electrical generating power has reached 93% of its pre-war level. All universities are open and most of the secondary schools. Since the end of July all of the major hospitals have been operating and 95% of local clinics. Crude oil production has resumed, at the rate of 1.4 to 1.7 million barrels per day. Of the country's 400 courts, 300 are now open. More than 46,000 police are employed and 28,000 more will be trained in the coming months. Banks are making loans and a free press is bustling with energy and advertising. Russian companies are actively engaged in this rebuilding effort: over $1 billion in contracts have been approved through the United Nations and are pending shipment in such areas as electric power generation, gas turbines, and motorized transport. Afghanistan and Iraq are not the only fronts in the war on terrorism. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a key battleground. A year ago President Bush released his National Security Strategy, driven by the events of 9/11. That strategy is based on the premise that partnerships and alliances with other nations are vital for eliminating the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction in the hands of dictators and terrorists. In June G8 leaders urged North Korea to "visibly, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle its nuclear weapons programs." They also vowed not to ignore the proliferation implications of Iran’s advanced nuclear program and offered their strongest support to a comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency control over Iran’s nuclear program. More common effort needs to be exerted to ensure that these pledges produce results.

There is a critical economic dimension to the war on terrorism that goes beyond dismantling terrorists' financial networks. We need to promote prosperity, progress and hope among developing nations, where terrorists seek to exploit poverty and sow seeds of hate. On Sunday, President Bush announced that he would ask the Congress for an additional $21 billion for reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan. Above and beyond this, we are committed to building a global trading system that will expand the circle of prosperity into the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. The President has proposed a 50% increase in U.S. development assistance for countries that govern justly, invest in the health and education of their people, and encourage economic liberty.

As we observe this solemn anniversary of the September 11 attacks we remember that President Putin was the first foreign leader to call President Bush and offer support after the attacks. In the intervening months we have affirmed our solidarity with Russia when terrorist acts claimed the lives of so many in Moscow at Dubrovka, and in Grozny, Znamenskoye, Iliskhan-Yurt, Mozdok, Tushino and Kislovodsk. The common threat of terrorism helped us focus on the values that unite us. We must reaffirm our commitment to strengthening our partnership, because our countries have too many common interests – and face too many common challenges – to permit us to stand apart.

Two years ago, President Bush said the war on terror would be a lengthy war, a different kind of war, fought on many fronts in many places. As we carry on this war we welcome the advice and wisdom of friends and allies with Russia in the first rank. Winning the war will take time and require sacrifice, but we will do what is necessary to achieve victory, to promote freedom and make the world more secure.

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