Opening Statement of Congressman Joseph R. Pitts

Joint ITNHR Subcommittee and Europe Subcommittee Hearing:

United States-Europe Counter-terrorism Cooperation

September 14, 2004

I thank the Chairman and Madam Chair for convening this important hearing this afternoon on United States-Europe Counter-terrorism Coordination.

From 9-11, to the March 11^th bombings in Madrid, to the airplane bombings and school terrorist attack in Russia, one thing is crystal clear:  terrorism is a global enemy. 

No country, no town, no one individual is safe.

Terrorism affects us all and if it is to be defeated, we must work together in pursuit of justice and peace.

Today, we are here to discuss counter-terrorism cooperation with our European allies.  Certainly, we have not seen eye-to-eye on every aspect of the War on Terror, but what is often lost is the degree to which we do agree. 

We have many common challenges because the United States and Europe are open societies that value democracy and freedom. 

We must work together on counter-terrorism efforts.  I support the counter-terrorism strategy outlined at the June 2004 U.S.-EU summit.

We need to improve border security.  We need to prevent access by terrorist to financial and economic resources.  We need to bolster law enforcement capabilities and coordination.

In working together, we can learn from each other and adopt policies and practices that are successful.

For example, I was recently told a story about a European airport that instituted a neighborhood watch program.

The security personnel at the airport identified points of vulnerability and went out into the neighborhoods to educate the surrounding community about what to look for.

If a person sees anything suspicion they are to call a private number, not a general emergency number like 9-1-1, to register what they observed.

On one occasion, an elderly lady who was part of the neighborhood watch called in to airport security about two men she saw getting out of a van and going into the woods with what looked a fishing pole.

The problem? There’s no place to fish around there.

Law enforcement was sent out, and sure enough, they arrested two men with an SA-7.

This story proves that the threat is real.  We must institute a similar strategy here to protect our airports and ensure that terrorist don’t even have a chance to fire on our commercial aircraft.

We also must continue our resolve to export those values that make our nations great: democracy, freedom, self-determination, and basic human rights.

Specifically regarding human rights and democratization, it is vital that we help stop the myriad human rights violations and help promote the development of democracy.

Islamic extremists are attempting to disrupt and dominate politics throughout the world.  While our response must be firm, it must also be just.  We cannot afford to compromise human rights for the sake of security, or we play into the hands of the terrorist.

For example, in Central Asia, governments must be careful to arrest only the extremists and those who have committed crimes.  Unfortunately, there are many peaceful religious believers who have been arrested in the sweep to crack down on extremists.  We must support courageous leaders who stand for freedom in the midst of fierce opposition from secret security forces and official government pressure.  I urge the governments of Central Asia to continue the fight against terrorism without violating fundamental human freedoms.

The U.S. and E.U. must work together to engage this region to improve respect for and protection of human rights while combating terrorism.  If we don’t, this region will crumble.

In closing, whether you are from the United States or from Europe; whether you agree with the War in Iraq or oppose it; whether you are conservative or liberal; you are the enemy of the terrorists and they seek your destruction.

You cannot appease them; you cannot negotiate with them; you cannot sit them down over a cup of Starbucks and talk to them.  Together, we must frustrate them, find them, and fight them.  And, I firmly believe that together we will win.

We have many common challenges and we need to work together to improve security and show terrorist that they cannot defeat freedom and democracy.