The Seventh Conference of Ministers of Defense of the Americas took place in Managua, Nicaragua from October 1 to 5, 2006. Defense Ministers and high level authorities from OAS Member States agreed upon efforts to increase multilateral military cooperation and proposed joint efforts to achieve common goals.  The Ministers exchanged experiences and reached consensus on a series of agreements to face regional challenges.   

The OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, opened the Conference with an intervention that sought to define regional defense tasks and urged Member States to continue working closely for further international cooperation.  The Secretary General noted the peace in the region and identified priority tasks: averting conflict among Member States, resolving problems through dialogue and reconciliation, always employing legal means of settling disputes, and broadening integration processes.  Mr. Insulza cautioned Member States against identifying all regional problems as threats to security.  Social and economic problems affecting peoples of the Americas are at the root of many security issues yet regional leaders must not extend the concept of security to every arena of political and social problems, which could harm democracy, the Secretary General said.  Furthermore, the Secretary General stated that subordination of armed forces to civilian, democratic political authority has given them a more legitimate role in a democratic society. 

The Defense Ministers adopted the Declaration of Managua, which recommends modernizing hemispheric defense and security institutions, strengthening the Inter-American Security System, fighting all forms of terrorism, joining forces for peacekeeping missions, combating the proliferation of small arms, and confronting transnational crime threats. Likewise, Ministers proposed closer collaboration on the subregional level to achieve common goals.   

The Defense Ministers agreed to follow up with cooperation in the following areas stated in the Declaration to face the challenges to the Inter-American Security System.  Defense Ministers proposed a subregional strategy in Central America to combat organized crime and drug trafficking; subregional strategies would contribute to the Inter-American Security System and the OAS Permanent Council Committee on Hemispheric Security.  In another form of cooperation, Defense Ministers agreed to strengthen capacity to undertake international peacekeeping and natural disaster missions, such as the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) force in Haiti.  Defense Ministers discussed establishing a regional peacekeeping force for use in future UN peacekeeping missions. 

Defense Ministers stressed support for humanitarian demining activities and cooperation. In a concrete measure, Nicaragua formalized its proposal to create an International School of Humanitarian Demining.  It had earlier received backing for the proposal in August from the Inter-American Defense Board.  Graduates from the proposed school would receive training in demining techniques from the Nicaraguan Army Corps of Engineers and other international experts. 

Defense Ministers pledged to fighting all forms of terrorism in addition to confronting threats of transnational organized crime—drug trafficking, corruption, and trafficking in persons and small arms.  They recommended continuing policies to combat small arms proliferation and portable anti-aircraft missiles, with OAS coordination.  Defense Ministers agreed to propose to their governments the possibility of supporting the Security Proliferation Initiative.   

Additionally, Defense Ministers will return to their home countries and consider proposals, initiatives, and conclusions from the conference thematic agenda in working groups: Cooperation in Multilateral Operations, Modernizing Defense Institutions, and Inter-American Security System Improvements.  The Defense Ministers accepted Canada’s offer to host the VIII Conference in 2008 and took note of the intention of Bolivia to host the IX Conference in 2010. 

Representatives from civil society groups and regional international organizations observed the meeting, such as the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Instituto de Estudios Estratégicos y Políticas Públicas, the Inter-American Defense Board, CARICOM, the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs, and the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO).   

The Conference continues its original objective of creating space for debate and experience exchange among the Ministers of Defense of the Americas every two years, oriented toward the most relevant, strategic, and timely issues regarding hemispheric security and defense.   The Summits of the Americas Secretariat participated in the V and VI Conferences of Ministers of Defense in Chile in November of 2002 and Quito in November of 2004, respectively.   

Conferences of Ministers of Defense of the Americas trace their origins to the Summits of the Americas.  During the First Summit of the Americas, held in Miami in 1994, the need emerged to organize and connect Defense Ministries to press for further economic and international security.  A mandate from that Summit of the Americas led to the first Conference held in Williamsburg, Virginia.  Later, in the Second Summit of Santiago in 1998, the Heads of State and Government reaffirmed the value of discussing international security and defense themes.  In the Third Summit of the Americas in 2001, Heads of State and Government supported the work of the V Conference of Ministers of Defense, as Heads of State and Government supported the VI Conference of Ministers of Defense at the Fourth Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

The VI Meeting of Ministers of Defense of the Americas took place the 16-21 of November, 2004 in Quito, Ecuador. The main objective of this Meeting was to coordinate regional efforts in relation to hemispheric security in order to confront the threats, problems, and challenges in the region. The key themes of the meeting were focused on the new architecture of hemispheric security; as well as defense, development and society as possibilities for cooperation. Similarly, themes such as civil-military relations and the roles that the armed forces meet in each one of the countries were debated.  

In the Declaration of Quito, the Ministers of Defense emphasized the fact that the hemisphere suffers from wide social and economic differences and indicated that the diminution in these differences is the labor of all, including the defense sectors, given that these efforts can contribute to the internal and external security of the region. In the same manner, they stressed the importance of democracy as a crucial condition for stability, peace, security and the development of the Hemispheric States.  

Furthermore, they highlighted that security concerns should include conflict prevention, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, respect for democratic values, the principle of self-determination, non-intervention and the promotion of human rights. The Ministers of Defense also recognized and supported the participation of countries in peacekeeping activities and assistance to disasters in the Hemisphere and reiterated their support to the Government of Colombia for their efforts against terrorism and recognized these efforts as a contribution to regional security.  

In preparation for the VI Meeting of Ministers of Defense a preparatory meeting took place November 1- 2 in Quito, Ecuador, where the thematic agenda of the meeting was defined. In the same manner three academic forums took place: one institutional encounter from May 26-28, 2004; an international seminar form July 15-17, 2004 and a specialized symposium from August 3-5, 2004 where other actors, including civil society, were given the opportunity to contribute to the conference.  

This process of meetings was initiated within the framework of the Summit Process of the Americas. Following the mandates of the Heads of State and Government, the Ministers of Defense have convened systematically and biannually since 1995. 

It is worth noting that the VI Meeting of Ministers of Defense followed the guidelines established in the Special Conference of Security, which took place in Mexico City from the 27-28 of October 2003. It was here that the OAS Member States agreed upon a new concept of security for the region, based on a multidimensional focus that includes new threats, concerns and challenges to security.  

The VII Meeting of Ministers of Defense will take place in Nicaragua in 2006. 

For further information regarding the VI Meeting of Ministers of Defense, please click here (www.vicmdaecuador2004.org). 

The First Conference of the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and other Related Materials (CIFTA) took place in Bogotá, Colombia on March 8-9, 2004. The objective of CIFTA, which entered into force on July 1, 1998, is to include all Member States in a network to combat the illegal arms business. When countries are integrated, they can exchange information and experiences in order to combat this threat.

This meeting was attended by signatory States, as well as delegates of the UN Disarmament Department, the UN Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UN- LIREC), and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD). Also civil society organizations were invited to this event.

The Declaration of Bogotá on the Functioning and Application of the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and other Related Materials (CIFTA) was adopted at this meeting.  The objective of the Declaration it the control of the arms productions and to prevent the diversion or armament and ammunition for groups that develop criminal activities. The Declaration also contemplates holding a preliminary meeting of national authorities responsible of granting the import, export and transit authorizations or licenses of international arms.

Moreover, the States committed to affording the widest measure of mutual legal assistance in obtaining evidence and taking other necessary actions to facilitate the investigations, prosecutions and the punishments of illicit activities described in the CIFTA. In addition, the commitment to adopt the necessary measures for the marking of firearms and destruction of excess stocks was considered. Other issues discussed included: the advances in the implementation application of the CIFTA, international developments in this area, the cooperation and assistance, and the national experiences and challenges to be faced.

For more information on CIFTA, please click here.

The Special Conference on Security was held in the framework of the OAS in Mexico City October 27 –28, 2003 as a response to a Summit mandate from the Plan of Action of the Second Summit of the Americas and reiterated at the Third Summit of the Americas. The Conference marked a milestone in the evolution of the concept of security in the Americas. The OAS member states agreed on a new security concept for the region based on a multidimensional approach that includes new threats, concerns and challenges to security.

Member states adopted the Declaration on Security in the Americas, which lays out the countries’ shared values and common approaches to security, and establishes commitments and cooperation measures related to a wide range of issues. The Declaration establishes that “Our new concept of security in the Hemisphere is multidimensional in scope, includes traditional and new threats, concerns, and other challenges to the security of the states of the Hemisphere, incorporates the priorities of each state, contributes to the consolidation of peace, integral development, and social justice, and is based on democratic values, respect for and promotion and defense of human rights, solidarity, cooperation, and respect for national sovereignty”.

Countries also recognized the need for institutional support in this area and the important role of the OAS in order to achieve the application, follow-up and evaluation of this Declaration. Government representatives made a commitment to revitalize and strengthen the organs, institutions, and mechanisms of the inter-American system related to the various aspects of hemispheric security. They also decided to make an assessment of the of the Inter- American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty) and the American Treaty on Pacific Settlement (Pact of Bogotá) as well as other hemispheric instruments, taking into account the new security realities in the Hemisphere. Finally, they recommended that the OAS Permanent Council, through the Committee on Hemispheric Security, complete the analysis of the relationship between the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB) with the OAS and submit recommendations to the thirty-fourth regular session of the OAS General Assembly.

In addition to signing the Declaration on Security in the Americas, member states adopted a declaration on the situation in Colombia, expressing solidarity with the government and people of Colombia “in their fight against terrorism and other destabilizing threats, as they defend democratic institutions.” They also adopted a declaration acknowledging the important contribution to security made by the Framework Treaty on Democratic Security in Central America.

Civil Society was also invited to participate in the Special Conference on Security. Representatives from different civil society organizations made presentations during the Conference and had the opportunity to have a dialogue with government representatives. In the Declaration, governments expressed their appreciation for these contributions and recommended that the Committee on Hemispheric Security give them due consideration in its work related to the new threats, concerns, and other challenges to hemispheric security.
 

On August 15 and 16, 2003, the Governments of Peru and Canada, in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS), organized a seminar to evaluate the progress in making the Americas a mine-free region in Lima, Peru. Representatives from over 40 government and multilateral bodies, in addition to civil society groups, took part in the seminar in order to examine the effects of the Ottawa Convention and also, best practices and lessons learned in dealing with this issue.

Representatives from various countries gave presentations on individual projects in the fields of preventive education, de-mining, victim rehabilitation, destruction of mines and stockpiles, and databases. The "Lima Declaration: By Antipersonnel a Free Hemisphere of Mines," which recognizes important advances made by villages and governments of the Americas to support the process of humanitarian de-mining. The Declaration reaffirms the importance of meeting international obligations and calls for all Governments to create integrated programs that provide both technical and financial assistance to survivors of antipersonnel mine-related accidents.

This was the first of a series of preparatory regional meetings for the Conference on the Examination of the Ottawa Convention scheduled for September 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand.

On May 29, 2003 , the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD) finalized its program "Culture of Dialogue: Development of Resources for Peace Building (OAS/PROPAZ)", and transferred its mandates and methodologies to Guatemala by establishing the PROPAZ foundation. As the title suggests, the general goal of the Program is to contribute to the creation of conditions and processes that enable the transition from confrontation towards a "culture of dialogue". The Program provides training in communication and conflict resolution skills, negotiation, mediation and conciliation to a variety of Guatemalan actors working at different levels of society. The Program’s mission is to support the establishment of an infrastructure for peace building, democratization and reconciliation in Guatemala and explicitly recognizes that these processes are inter-related. This step has accomplished one of PROPAZ objectives, to give Guatemala the capacity to support that country's peace process, political dialogue and strengthen democracy.

The conference "Security in the Americas: Our Hemispheric Neighborhood" was held in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 2003. The conference was organized by the Organization of American States, the World Affairs Council, and the Center for Latin American Issues of the George Washington University. The panel discussed a wide range of hemispheric security issues including the role of the OAS in the management of security issues, organized crime, corruption, money laundering, illegal arms trade in the Caribbean, public health, democratic governance, and the role of the media.

The panel also discussed the way in which concerns of hemispheric security have evolved, and how the OAS and the countries in the hemisphere should manage the new security ambiance. Ambassador Miguel Ruiz-Cabañas, Permanent Representative of Mexico, and President of the Commission on Hemispheric Security of the OAS, focused on the role of the OAS in achieving hemispheric security and in the Special Security Conference that will take place in Mexico at the end of this year. Dr. Joseph Tuchin, Director of the Latin American Program in the Woodrow Wilson Center, continued the discussion with the history of hemispheric cooperation in security. On the other hand, Dr. Paul R. Gully, MB, ChB, FRCPC, General Director of the Division of Population and Pubic Health of Canada spoke about the relation between health and security, including the economic and social cost of epidemics. Finally, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, Dean of the School of Honors and professor of political science in Florida International University, focused his presentation in the problem of illegal arms trade in the Caribbean.

For more information on this event, please click here.

On May 9, 2003 in Punta Arenas, Chile, the Chilean army completed the destruction of over100, 000 land mines in the border with Argentina. The measure corresponds to the commitments made by Chile, for the year 2003 within the Ottawa Convention. To date, Chile still has 336,519 land mines, of which 213,076 are stockpiled.

On June 9 2003, the Government of Argentina and the General Secretariat of the OAS signed in Santiago, Chile an agreement of cooperation and assistance for the implementation of another project of destruction of stored land mines. Through this agreement, the OAS will provide technical assistance for the destruction of the arsenals of land mines and provide specialized material and supplies

On April 3-4, 2003 the IV Meeting of the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (CIFTA) took place in the headquarters of the Organization of American States. The Committee, composed by the Member countries, and which began to carry out its functions in March 2000 once the tenth instrument of ratification was deposited, has been celebrating an annual meeting every year and extraordinary meetings when necessary. The Consultative Committee consists of a Pro-Tempore Secretariat, which is managed by a Member country. Mexico and Brazil have already been elected to this position and Colombia was elected during the last regular meeting.

Other than this election, during the IV Ordinary meeting of this committee, the Work Program for 2003-2004 was adopted, as well as a resolution, which will be sent to the General Assembly of the OAS. On this occasion, the Member countries had a productive dialogue regarding the current implementation state on a national and regional level of the Action Plan of United Nations on the Illicit Trafficking of Small Weapons.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and OAS Secretary General César Gaviria signed a technical cooperation agreement on March 5, 2003, covering mine action initiatives. The agreement, which was signed in Bogota, will initially focus on preventive education and awareness, rehabilitation of landmine victims and establishment of a landmine victims database. "Ottawa certainly represented a significant step forward for mankind," observed President Uribe, referring to the December 1997 event that banned anti-personnel landmines. He said "Colombia has faithfully met its obligations and timetable under the Treaty." During the signing ceremony, the OAS Secretary General said there were somewhere between 80 million and 100 million unexploded mines buried around the world, waiting for a victim. Gaviria made mention of the removal of more than 19,000 mines in Central America, under the supervision of the Inter-American Defense Board. He said more than half million stockpiled mines have been destroyed in Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru. Noting that mine-clearing operations had been completed in Costa Rica, he said "it means that member state could be declared landmine-free."

For a copy of the Agreement (Spanish only), please click here.

The Meeting of Experts on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures in the Region took place in Miami, Florida on February 2-4, 2003. The meeting was held in accordance with a mandate from the Third Summit of the Americas. The purpose of the meeting was to follow-up on the Santiago (1995) and El Salvador (1998) Conferences on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures and “to evaluate their implementation and consider next steps towards consolidation of mutual confidence”.

First, experts carried out an evaluation and analysis of the application of confidence- and security-building measures in compliance with mandates from the Santiago and El Salvador Declarations, OAS General Assembly Resolutions, and inventories of measures applied by OAS Member States. Second, experts analyzed transparency measures in the region to evaluate the state of ratification and application of the Inter-American Convention on the Transparency of Conventional Arms Acquisition, the participation in the Conventional Arms Register and the United Nations information mechanism on military expenditures. Furthermore, experts encouraged the participation of States in these instruments and evaluated the effects of confidence- and security-building measures on hemispheric security in general.

In addition, experts referred to next steps towards consolidation of mutual confidence through the identification of new measures to confront new threats, concerns and challenges to security in the region. Moreover, participants analyzed future tasks of the OAS in the area of confidence- and security-building measures and best practices for the exchange of information on this subject.

Finally, delegations adopted the Miami Consensus, which contains conclusions and recommendations on these measures, and also approved the Illustrative List on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures for traditional threats as well as new threats, concerns and challenges to security in the region.

During the meeting civil society representatives, particularly the Latin American Security and Defense Network (RESDAL) presented their recommendations. In these presentations it was mentioned that the meeting did not touch upon current issues and that it was the role of civil society to identify security issues that are currently facing the public. In addition, they mentioned that the major challenge for Latin America is to be able to face new security threats. At the Conference they presented the following recommendations:

• The Conference Declaration should reflect the context of the current security situation in the region.

• Establish tasks for the Armed Forces and security institutions.

• Discuss the strengthening of links between civil society and governments on this issue.

• Highlight the importance of civil society support in decisions regarding security and defense.

On December 10, 2002, the Organization of American States declared Costa Rica free of antipersonnel mines. The initiative took six years, during which a total of 338 mines and explosive devices were neutralized near the Nicaragua border. The Acción Integral Contra Minas Antipersonal (AICMA) began collaborating with the Government of Costa Rica in 1996 in the areas of preventive education, demining and victim rehabilitation.

The mines were placed in Costa Rica during the war between Sandinistas and the Contras in Nicaragua during the 1980’s. The zone where the mines and other metallic waste from the war were removed measures 131 641 square meters.

Following the completion of this important achievement, it is hoped that the next goal in the Hemisphere will be to complete demining operations in Honduras, possibly in the year 2003.

For more information about the OAS demining program, please click here.

The "Second High-Level Meeting on the Special Security Concerns of Small Island States" was held on January 8-10, 2003 in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The meeting participants discussed a wide range of issues, including the transshipment of nuclear waste, susceptibility to natural disasters, health threats, economic vulnerability, illicit drugs, corruption, and poverty, among others.  

The meeting resulted in the approval of four documents:  “Draft Confidence- and Security Building Measures to Enhance Security of Small Island States”, “Recommendations to the Special Conference on Security”, “Declaration of Kingston on Security of Small Island States”, and a “Security Management Model for Small Island States”, which provides a framework for dealing with non-traditional security concerns.

This meeting will give the OAS member states an opportunity to prepare the way for the special conference on security slated for Mexico City next May.

For more information on this meeting, please click here.
For a copy of the Kingstown Declaration, please click here.

The V Defense Ministerial of the Americas was held November 19-22, 2002, in Santiago de Chile.  The first meeting of Defense Ministers was held in 1995 and subsequently, the Defense Ministers have met every two years to discuss security issues in the hemisphere.

In Santiago, the Ministers held a broad range of discussions on issues such as new threats to regional security, cross-border cooperation in the prevention and containment of conflicts, a common standardized methodology for measuring defense expenditures, the role of the Defense Book as a measure of mutual trust, combined forces in peacekeeping operations, experiences in de-mining operation, the contribution of military forces to social development and the role of the armed forces in the event of natural disasters.

The Defense Ministers approved the Declaration of Santiago, which promotes mutual understanding and the exchange of ideas in the field of defense and security. As Chair of the meeting, the Minister of National Defense of Chile subsequently presented a full report, available here.

The next meeting of Defense Ministers will be held in 2004 in Ecuador.

For more information on this meeting, please click here.

In May 2002, the governments of Belize and Guatemala agreed to wok towards a final solution to their territorial conflict with the collaboration of the good offices of the OAS, through a Panel of Conciliators. The proposal of the conciliators presented to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of each country on September 16, 2002, contain historical, legal, political, and technical considerations. After more than two years of work, the proposals for conciliation finally will be subject to popular consultation in both countries.

The creation of a Mixed Commission, the creation of an Adjacent Zone of one kilometer on each side of the border and the conformation of a Technical Commission to establish limits, population density along the border and future maintenance are some of the confidence measures that both parts have established. Also, a Fiduciary Fund for Development will be created for the development of the boundary zone, which will have contributions of member countries and multilateral financial institutions. The parties agreed on a Ministerial meeting in October 2002 in order to review the confidence building measures that they consider necessary.

The Fourth Meeting of the State Parties on the Ottawa Convention was held in Geneva on September 16^th to the 20^th, 2002. This meeting examined the Convention’s status and technological development in the removal of antipersonnel mines.  As well there were presentations made on State co-operation and assistance in the removal of antipersonnel mines.

More than 700 delegates representing over 130 countries and dozens of non-governmental and international organisations participated in this meeting.  At the closing, 128 countries were in agreement with the Ottawa Convention.  The State Parties also began discussions on the preparation for a Follow-up meeting on the Convention in 2004. The State Parties agreed to have a fifth meeting in Bangkok on September 15^th to the 19^th, 2003.

For more information about this meeting please click here. 

On September 20^th, 2002 the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) held the seminar, “Security and Development: The Challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.”  The seminar gathered over 150 government representatives, academics and analysts to discuss the economic, social and political aspects regarding security.  This event is part of a continuing process that will culminate with the Ministers Conference on Hemispheric Security in Mexico in May 2003.

In their opening remarks, the President of the IDB, Enrique Iglesias, and the Secretary General to the OAS, César Gaviria, emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation in order to reduce the vulnerability of Latin American and Caribbean countries to new security threats.  According to President Iglesias, the foundations of security consist of a strong democracy and economic development.  The Secretary General to the OAS stated that current security threats have evolved over time and are no longer military in nature. Latin America could improve its security by limiting its military spending and diverting military expenditures towards civilian budgets to strengthen democratic institutions.  

The seminar consisted of four panel discussions that examined the various aspects of security: economic security, social protection of the region, political dimension of Security in Latin America and the Caribbean and Definition and Scope of Hemispheric Security. Some of the issues discussed included the high level of macroeconomic vulnerability faced by the region, weakness of democratic institutions, poverty, natural disasters, drug trafficking and terrorism. The discussions reaffirmed that hemispheric security must support the pillars of peace: strong democratic institutions, international cooperation and strong trade relations.

For more information on the seminar, please click here. For a copy of the Draft Agenda, please click here.

On August 27th, 2002, the Hemispheric Conference on Demining Progress in the Americas was inaugurated in Managua, Nicaragua. The two-day Conference, held under the auspices of the Organization of American States, served as a forum for evaluating progress achieved by member states in their efforts to remove and destroy antipersonnel landmines, as well as to exchange best practices regarding the said efforts. Furthermore, member states discussed a hemispheric strategy for the upcoming Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention to be held in September in Geneva. Finally, member states discussed the importance of increasing international cooperation to strengthen commitments made under the Convention on Prohibition, Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines. The Conference was attended by representatives of Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Peru, Colombia, El Salvador, United States and Nicaragua.

The Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies organized the Fifth Annual Seminar on Research and Education in Defense and Security Studies Seminar (REDES), which took place on August 7-10, 2002 in Brasilia, Brazil. The seminar was co-hosted by the Ministry of Defense of Brazil.

REDES is an annual international seminar meant to enhance the quality and content of defense studies, international relations and political science curricula in civilian universities and professional military education institutions. The goal of the seminar is to gather defense specialists from all over the hemisphere to exchange information on research projects, learn new teaching methodologies and new approaches to this discipline.

REDES 2002 was co-sponsored by six Brazilian universities: Universidade Estadual de São Paulo, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdades Tancredo Neves, Universidade Federal de Rio de Janeiro, and Universidade Nacional de Brasilia. It featured presentations by distinguished diplomatic, governmental, military, and civilian figures well known in the field of defense research and education.

For more information on REDES 2002 please click here.

 

On July 26 and 27, 2002, the Second Meeting of Presidents of South America was held in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. In this meeting the Presidents adopted the "Guayaquil Consensus on Integration, Security and Infrastructure for Development", in which the Presidents declared South America as a Zone of Peace and Cooperation with the objective of reaching a pacific co-existence between the nations. They also agreed to the gradual limitation of defense expenses and a greater transparency in the acquisition of arms. In this context, they emphasized the decision of the General Assembly to include this issue in the agenda of the Committee on Hemispheric Security.

For more information on the Second Summit of South American Presidents, please click here.

On June 17, 2002, Chancellors and Ministers of Defense approved the Andean Letter for Peace and Security, which establishes the principles and compromises for the formulation of a communitary security policy for the region, the restoration of a peace zone, regional actions in the fight against terrorism and the limitation of the expenses of external defense, control of conventional weapons and transparency. The Andean Letter is inspired from the principles of the United Nations and the Organization of American States.

The Andean Letter, approved by the Lima Compromise in the meeting of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Defense of the community in the Andean Community (CAN) headquarters, included as a first compromise the formulation of an Andean community defense policy with the constitution of a high-level group for the issues of security and promotion of trust. The Andean Letter also includes a series of compromises to lay the groundwork so that Latin America is declared a zone free of stealth, air-launched missiles and of medium and long-range strategic missiles.

Other aspects of the Letter refer to consolidating the elimination of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; eradicating the illicit trafficking of guns, munitions, explosives and other related materials, as well as personal mines; increasing and strengthening the promotion of methods of trust; and establishing mechanisms of follow up and verification in order to deepen the dialogue and agreement in these areas.

The Nicaraguan government announced that over 115,000 stockpile mines have been destroyed to date in that country, with the help of the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD) Comprehensive Action Against Antipersonnel Mines Program (AICMA) and the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB).  It is foreseen that the remaining mines from the initial 136,813 in the Nicaraguan army’s stockpiles will be destroyed by the end of August, 2002.

For more information on the AICMA Program, click here. 

In an effort to follow up on progress made towards signing and ratifying the Ottawa Convention, the Third Conference of the States Parties of the Ottawa Convention took place on September 18-21, 2001.  At this Conference, in which more than 300 delegates from 72 countries and 100 non-governmental organizations participated, countries that have not yet signed the treaty were called to do so.  Moreover, the participants congratulated those countries that had eliminated extensive mining areas, diminished the number of victims affected by such mines and improved the help offered to those victims. 

At the meeting’s conclusion, a Declaration containing 17 points was approved, which encourages that national, regional and international measures are adopted in order to fulfill treaty obligations.  The document urges, as well, that governments and communities throughout the world unite around the common task of confronting the enormous challenges that surround anti-mine action.  It also asks them to provide greater technical and financial assistance to those programs associated with demining. 

The next Conference of the States Parties of the Ottawa Convention will meet next year, in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 16-20, 2001.  For more information on demining, please see the following Web site.  Also, below you will find the most recent destruction (as of November, 2001) of antipersonnel landmine stockpiles in three affected Member States.

Over a period of four months, Peru and Ecuador destroyed more than 313,000 and 154,344 antipersonnel mines respectively, joining Honduras as the Member States that completed the destruction of their antipersonnel landmine stockpiles before the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, which took place on September 18-21, 2001. Nicaragua, despite having not completed destruction of all landmines, was able to destroy 20,000 additional mines on September 17, 2001. The remaining 46,813 mines will be destroyed during the year 2002.

On July 20, 2001, the government of Uruguay gave its full support to the Inter-American Juridical System by depositing, at the OAS Headquarters, the instruments for its ratification of two Conventions. Uruguay deposited the instruments to ratify the Inter-American Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities as well as the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials.

During a ceremony celebrated on June 3, 2001, and as a part of the XXXI General Assembly, the OAS announced that both Member States and country observers would contribute new donations to the Peace Fund, at a total of $350 million. The purpose of this fund is to support the pacific resolution of territorial controversies, and the money recently donated to it will aid efforts to resolve problems between Belize and Guatemala and between Honduras and Nicaragua. Five OAS Member States will make new contributions to the Fund, including Canada, the United States and Mexico. Argentina and Brazil will send experts on military issues to specifically support the recently announced Civil Verification Mission in Honduras and Nicaragua. Observing countries that have contributed include Denmark, Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel and Italy.

The Second OAS Meeting of Government Experts on Cyber Security was held in São Paulo, Brazil, on September 14-16, 2005.  This meeting was comprised of specialists from 20 OAS Member States in order to discuss the issue of cyber security.  The event was organized by the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) of the OAS.  Before the meeting, a preparatory event – the Conference of Government Security (SecGov) – was held to discuss proposals to prevent electronic crimes in Brazil, which were presented to the OAS delegates.

At its General Assembly in Quito, 2004, the OAS considered the Internet and related technologies as “indispensable tools” for its member countries.  Nevertheless, it also considers the Internet to have also generated new threats to the global and hemispheric communities.  The Meeting of Government Experts on Cyber Security had as its main objectives to promote discussion of OAS’ integrated cyber security strategies towards a rapid-response network to identify vulnerabilities and threats to information systems throughout the hemisphere, enabling its Member States to quickly anticipate eventual hacker attacks.

The director of CICTE, Steven Monblatt stated that it is necessary to establish political legislation and better common practices to manage the risks.  Furthermore, the meeting intended to stimulate the cooperation between Brazil and the other OAS members – with Brazil providing technical support for the South American countries and Canada to the ones in Central American and the Caribbean.  Also with the other economic blocs giving continuation to the discussions initiated in the OAS Conference on Cyber Security held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2003 and the I Expert Meeting on Cyber Security held in Ottawa, Canada, in 2004.

For more information please visit: http://www.cicte.oas.org,
http://www.secgov.com.br and http://www.cicte.oas.org/English/Cyber.htm

 

The Fifth Regular Session of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), of the Organization of American States (OAS), was held on February 16-18, 2005 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The purpose of this meeting was to analyze the progress in the fight of terrorism and to examine hemispheric strategies to strengthen cooperation in this subject. Also, Member States renewed their commitment to prevent, combat, and eliminate the terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, whatever  its origin or motivation. The Minister of National Security from Trinidad and Tobago, Martin Joseph, was elected President of CICTE for the period 2005-2006. In addition, Colombia was designated as the vice-president for the same period of time. 

Dialogue between the Heads of Delegation

During the second session, the dialogue between the Heads of Delegation focused on the subject: “Evaluating the effectiveness of current anti-terrorism policies and practices, including those related to border controls, transportation security and terrorist financing, and exploring new strategies of multilateral cooperation to promote and sustain the hemispheric fight against corruption”. Member States reported on the progress made in antiterrorism legislations, identification of potential threats, financial assistance and strengthening border controls. Additionally, countries informed about the cooperation with other nations in security issues and made reference to terrorism as a method to destabilize democracy and affect economic development in the countries. The special condition of the Caribbean countries as transit nations was also mentioned in this meeting. 

Brazil informed that the Second Meeting of Experts in Cyber-Security will be held in Sao Paulo, in September, 2005. This meeting will provide space for the experts to continue with the implementation of the Plan of Action and recommendations adopted in the Cyber Security Strategy approved in the last OAS General Assembly held in Quito, Ecuador. Additionally, Brazil informed that in May 2005, there will be a workshop on Security in Ports.

Declaration of Port-of-Spain

On this occasion, the “Declaration of Port-of-Spain on Strengthening Cooperation on Strategies to Sustain and Advance the Hemispheric Fight against Terrorism” was approved. Some of the topics discussed included strengthening the border controls and money movements; discussions on the transportation threat (ports and airports) and the cyber-security issue.  Furthermore, States committed to keep under surveillance their borders and to control their financial systems to avoid transfer of funds to terrorist groups.

In the same way, Member States reaffirmed that terrorism “has no justification whatsoever”, and agreed to work on national, sub regional and hemispheric levels to confront this threat. In addition, Member States indicated that the threat of terrorism is very serious because of the connections that exist between terrorism and money laundering, illicit drugs trafficking and weapons, as well as other forms of transnational organized crime. On the other hand, they emphasized the need to adopt urgent measures to strengthen cooperation and exchange of information “with the aim of locating, capturing, prosecuting, and punishing the sponsors, organizers, and perpetrators of terrorists acts, as well as identifying and freezing assets and resources used to facilitate, promote, or commit such acts.”

In the Declaration of Port-of-Spain, Member States also declared the necessity to support the cooperation in cross-border management, improve security and authenticity in official documents, develop techniques to disseminate faster information about cyber-security, and intensify efforts to disrupt the capacity of terrorist networks to threaten the ability to travel in all Member States, amongst other measures.

CICTE Report

CICTE’s work plan for 2005, adopted in Port of Spain, recommends several actions to improve coordination and exchange of information regarding border and custom controls, prevention of money laundering and strengthening of cyber, maritime and aviation security. 

Steven Monblatt, Executive Secretary of CICTE and OAS Interim Director of the Multidimensional Security Department, highlighted that in the past few months, CICTE has expanded considerably its services of technical advice to Member States. In cooperation with several collaborators, CICTE has trained more than 300 security employees in ports and airports in 28 countries, helping them fulfill new security regulations that dictate maritime and civil aviation transportation. In addition, CICTE works with several governments to harmonize their national legislations with the Inter-American Convention against Terrorism and other international mechanisms related to this issue.

The Under Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security of the United States, Asa Hutchinson, announced that the United States will make an additional contribution of U$1.6 million in 2005 to CICTE.

It was also noted that the 34 OAS Member States have signed the Inter-American Convention against Terrorism and 12 of them have ratified it. In this regard, the OAS General Secretariat will call upon Member States to the First Meeting of State Parties to the Inter-American Convention against Terrorism, in fulfillment of the Convention’s article 18. At the same time, CICTE requested that other Member States ratify the treaty as soon as possible and that they should make efforts to harmonize their national legislations with CICTE’s provisions.

Presentations

The delegations of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago made a joint presentation on “Reinforcing disabled national counter-terrorist measures: Lessons learned from an ad hoc cooperation arrangement on Grenada post Hurricane Ivan.”

Also, the Head of the Investigation and Narco-trafficking Division of the Argentinean National Aeronautical Police made a presentation about “Airport Security in Argentina: Procedures in Force”.

The delegations of Canada and El Salvador presented a report on the “First Cyber-security Practitioner’s Workshop” held in Vancouver, Canada in March, 2004.

Finally, the United States Coast Guard introduced a report on operational aspects of port security and the compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).

The Third Meeting of National Points of Contact was also held in the framework of this meeting.

The Sixth Regular Session of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism –CICTE- will be held in Bogotá, Colombia in February, 2006.

The Meeting of Governmental Experts on Best Practices and National Experiences in the Adoption of Counter Terrorism Measures from a Human Rights Perspective was held on February 12-13, 2004 at OAS Headquarters in Washington, DC. The meeting hosted governmental experts from the Bahamas, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the United States, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, San Kitts and Nevis and Uruguay, in addition to delegates of other Permanent Missions to the OAS.

In the General Assembly of the OAS held in Santiago, Chile 2003, by means of resolution 1931 “The Protecting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms While Countering Terrorism” it was expressed that the fight against the terrorism must be done in accordance to the law and respect to human rights and it instructed to convene a meeting of experts on this issue.

The meeting was divided in five panels. The introduction to the event was entrusted to the Inter-American Committee against the Terrorism as well as of a representative of civil society. The first panel was centered on the implementation of antiterrorist legislative measures, which were derived from international instruments and resolutions of diverse organs and, in particular, resolution 1373 of the Security Council of the United Nations. Later, the following panel focused on the types of administrative measures that their countries have put in practice to fight terrorism, followed by some presentations on the jurisprudence related to the fulfillment of the international commitments with respect to human rights in the actions that the State has developed to prevent, fight and eliminate terrorism. Finally, in the fourth panel there were interventions of the Inter-American Commission of Human rights (CIDH) and of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE), about the role of the OAS in the protection of the human rights in the fight against the terrorism and the possible routes of cooperation between both organs.

The government of Spain, a Permanent Observer of the Organization of American States (OAS), has been invited to full participation in the activities of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE). On March 11, 2001, Spain was victim of bomb blasts that killed some 200 and injured more than 1,500 on passenger trains in Madrid.

The Secretary General of the OAS, Cesar Gaviria stated: “The coordinated bombings in the Santa Eugenia, El Pozo and Atocha train stations in Madrid are a premeditated assault on all the democratic and free states of the world. The countries in the community of the Americas reject this cowardly aggression and express their condolences to the Spanish people, as well as their solidarity with the government and with the institutions of the Kingdom of Spain in this difficult time.”

The Fourth Regular Session of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) took place in Montevideo, Uruguay on January 28 – 30, 2004.  The meeting focused on the construction of hemispheric strategies for the prevention, detection, and eradication of terrorism, taking into account the sub-regional and national conditions of the Member States. Other issues discussed at the meeting included human rights, prosperity, trade, tourism, and the legitimate movement of people, goods and services. The agenda also proposed modifications to CICTE’s role in the promotion of transportation security, especially in ports and airports, as well as in the fight against cyber threats.

The Draft Work Plan of CICTE and the Montevideo Declaration were approved, and some key points from the Declaration are: the need to strengthen CICTE, as well as the regional and international cooperation at all levels, the identification and the combat of emerging threats to cyber security, bio-terrorism, the threats to critical infrastructure and the possibility of access, possession, and use of arms of mass destruction by terrorists, the importance of the signing, ratifying and adhesion to the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism and the 12 conventions and protocols of the United Nations regarding this issue, and the need to improve the communication channels for the exchange of information.

Finally, the position of CICTE’s Chair passed from El Salvador to the Vice-Minister of Defense of Uruguay, Elias Bluth.  Also, the announcement of the antiterrorism coordination by the United Status, with a 1.6 million dollar donation, to support CICTE’s plans for the improvement of, surveillance capacity, security in airports and ports, and to increase cyber-security should be mentioned.

For more information on CICTE, please click here.

On October 7, 2003, the OAS hosted a meeting that strived towards reinforcing the role of regional and international organizations in the fight against terrorism. The discussions focused on four specific issues: how regional organizations distribute information and best practices among member states; best practices and self-assessment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Antiterrorism Center activity; the role of regional organizations in building counter-terrorism capacity of member states; and implementing the program of technical assistance and interaction between Member States and organizations.

The general consensus among the participants was that despite successful efforts in the Hemispheric fight against terrorism, there is still much room for improvement when it comes to further involving international organizations. With specific references made to United Nations terrorism resolutions, international codes and best practices, representatives expressed the need for more intimate cooperation among states with international organizations and citizens if these initiatives are to succeed.

The meeting was organized by the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE), and included the participation of the European Commission, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the African Union's Permanent Mission to the UN, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism was adopted by the Organization of American States (OAS) in June 2002, but took effect on July 10, 2003, after Peru, Mexico and Nicaragua ratified it. The goal of the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism is to prevent, sanction, and eliminate terrorism, for which Member States will adopt the necessary measures to strengthen cooperation between each other. Currently, this juridical instrument has been signed by 33 Member States and has been ratified by Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru

The OAS Conference on Cyberspace Security took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina on July 28-29, 2003. This conference received contributions from the Inter-American Committee on Terrorism (CICTE), the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL), and the Ministers of Justice or Attorneys Generals of the Americas (REMJA). The Committee on Hemispheric Security is expected to assemble the results of this meeting into a strategy that will be discussed in the OAS Permanent Council, including suggestions for further actions.

The main objective of this conference was to strengthen the dialogue among OAS Members that will lead to the development of a hemispheric strategy on cyber security that will focus on areas of shared vulnerabilities and interdependencies. The conference included the following discussion panels: tendencies in the threats to cyber security, focus on the evaluation of the critical infrastructure and its vulnerabilities, the challenge of electronic crime, the importance of public and private societies and the sharing of information, crisis/threat responses, national and multilateral goals related to cyber security, and actions coordinated by national organisms in the area of information and telecommunication security, under the fight against cyber terrorism framework.

For more information on CICTE's activities, please click here.

The First Meeting of CICTE's National Points of Contact (NPC) took place on July 14-15, 2003 in the OAS headquarters in Washington, DC. This meeting was held at the moment when the Inter-American Convention Against terrorism entered into force. The meeting discussed the role of the national points of contact in the strategy against terrorism. The NPC is the principal, professional level liaison between the OAS Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) and the Member States government.

On the other hand, the delegates discussed various issues including the "Self-Assessment Questionnaire", an initiative undertaken by CICTE and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), designed to assist Member States in addressing border management and related counter-terrorism issues. Also, the possible role of national legislators in combating terrorism, CICTE's work plan, the training courses, and the use of the online database OLAT were presented, as well as the "Groove" program, as a tool for the communication of data and voice in order to facilitate project management and the sharing of files.
 

On March 10, 2003 in Bogotá, Colombia, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Defense of the Andean countries and delegates of Panama, the U.S., and Brazil met in order to draft and sign a common strategy against terrorism, drug trafficking and weapons. The signers committed themselves to coordinating actions "in order to prevent and to repress terrorist acts, in each one of its forms and manifestations, and to neutralize the groups or individuals that commit these acts." To this end Ministers announced that they would concentrate "on the control of terrorist sources of financing, logistical supply, and search for support for its actions.

Colombia launched an international offensive for support against terrorism in this country, after the attack of the Nogal Club in Bogota on February 7, 2003, killed 35 people and injured more than 170. On February 12, 2003 the OAS Permanent Council approved Resolution 837 and thus committed to "cooperate to persecute, capture, judge, sanction and, where appropriate, accelerate the extradition of the perpetrators, organizations and sponsors of this act, according to the judicial order of the States and the international treaties”.

Resolution 837, passed unanimously by the member countries, requests the OAS to apply its mechanisms against terrorism contained in the Inter American Convention against Terrorism and ratify the fulfillment of resolution 1373 of the UN Security Council. UN Resolution 1373 forbids any type of support to anyone who commits terrorist acts, orders that assets of terrorists organizations be frozen, and calls for the persecution of members of terrorist organizations regardless of what country they are in.

Furthermore, on February 11, 2003 the governments of Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Argentina signed in Panama the "Panama Declaration". This Declaration supports the Colombian government in its fight against terrorism and makes a call so the international community complies with the legislation in this respect. 

The third regular session of the Inter American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) took place in San Salvador, El Salvador on January 22-24, 2003. The main issues of the meeting were regional cooperation, the new threats, and CICTE's Work Plan for 2003. On the other hand, the conference also discussed the creation of intelligence financial units, information recollection activities, development of databases and exchange networks, and the coordination of politics.

In the meeting, member states approved the "Declaration of San Salvador in Strengthening Cooperation in the Fight Against Terrorism". This conference also sent some recommendations for the Special Security Conference that will take place on Mexico in May 2003.

The objective of this event was to promote the technical support and training of the countries in order to counteract to terrorist threats. Some of the measures that the countries will adapt include the exchange of information to detect and detain people suspected of illicit activities.

Representatives from other institutions such as the terrorism division of the United Nations, the Central American System of (SICA), the International Red Cross, The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), also attended the meeting.

For more information on this event, please click here. For additional information on the CICTE activities, please click here.

 

The 34 countries of the Organization of American States (OAS) sought to strengthen security and cooperation against terrorism during the XXXII OAS General Assembly which took place in Bridgetown, Barbados on June 2 – 4, 2002.

The Inter-American Convention against Terrorism was approved in the first plenary session of the General Assembly and will enter into force thirty days after its instruments of ratification have been deposited. The OAS considers this Convention a valid instrument to guarantee and protect the population and their democratic institutions through increased cooperation. For César Gaviria, the Secretary General of the OAS, the Convention is "above all else a mark of hemispheric cooperation in judicial, intelligence and police matters, in ensuring the control of borders and finances."

The agreements include the suppression of unlawful seizure of aircraft, as signed at the Hague on December 16, 1970, and the prevention and punishment of crimes against internationally-protected persons, including diplomatic agents, approved by the United Nations (UN) on December 14, 1973. Likewise, the convention includes the agreement on the suppression of terrorist bombings, approved by the UN on December 15, 1997 and the international agreement for the suppression of the financing of terrorism, sanctioned by the same world organization on December 9, 1999.

The Inter-American Convention against Terrorism requires the 34 member countries to adopt measures to prevent, combat, and eradicate the financing of terrorism. This includes a comprehensive domestic and regulatory regime for banks and other financial institutions and entities deemed particularly susceptible to being used for the financing of terrorism. It also establishes the seizure and freezing of accounts and other goods and sanctions against money laundering. It also requires the promotion of cooperation in border matters, in accordance with the appropriate legal and administrative instruments of each OAS member state. In addition, the convention allows for the transfer of persons who are detained or serving a sentence in one state party to another state, given that the person freely gives his or her informed consent and that both states agree, subject to the conditions both states deem appropriate. The convention guarantees that the measures adopted by the member countries respect the rights of the state, human rights, and fundamental liberties.

On April 10, 2003, 33 States signed the Convention and 2 States have deposited their respective instruments of ratification. To see the complete list of signatures and ratifications, please click here.

On January 28-29, 2002, the Second Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) took place at the OAS Main Building in Washington DC. At the meeting, Member States approved recommendations made at the Second Special Session of the CICTE (November 29, 2001) on border control, financial control and the CICTE Work Plan.

Member States also presented their reports on actions taken by their countries in accordance with the decisions taken by the XXIII Consultative Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in order to strengthen domestic security and hemispheric and international cooperation. They also expressed that measures have been intensified to contribute to the fight against terrorism within the framework of individual, civil and political liberties and respect to human rights. They also stated that the United Nations (UN) Resolution 1373, combined with the 12 UN anti-terrorist Conventions, provide the base from which every country develops legislative and operational measures. Among those measures proposed were: the prevention and suppression of the financing of terrorism; the establishment of serious penalties within each legal system for those who participate in and support terrorism; and the improvement of mechanisms for mutual legal assistance and extradition.

Finally, the Chair of the Working Group responsible for the preparation of the draft Inter-American Convention against Terrorism presented the report on the advances achieved in its elaboration. These advances were concentrated on the issues related to hemispheric cooperation in the fight against terrorism. At the same time, it was decided that the draft Convention would be written as a complement to the twelve existing Conventions, and that it would address such issues as money laundering and border control. It is hoped that deliberations on this draft will be concluded for the next General Assembly, which will take place in Barbados, in June 2002. Peru offered to be the host for the signing of the Convention.

On November 29, 2001, the Second Special Session of CICTE took place at the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington D.C. The Chairs of the Sub-committees on Financial Control, Border Control and the CICTE Work Plan presented their recommendations for the prevention, combat and elimination of terrorism.

The recommendations for financial control addressed legal frameworks, international instruments, national and international cooperation and training and technical assistance.

The Subcommittee on Border Control recommended the improvement of border control mechanisms, the security of identity and travel documents, the optimization of customs control and cooperation mechanisms among countries to combat terrorism.

The Working Plan for CICTE was approved, although its financing and structure will be considered for approval in the future. The Work Plan includes programmatic activities for 2002-2003 and activities for the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention and Elimination of Terrorism.

At the meeting, participants also approved the Draft Agenda for the next Ordinary Meeting, which will take place on January 28-29, 2002.
 

Dr. George A.O. Alleyne, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), convened a consultation meeting of experts on Bioterrorism on October 24, 2001, in Washington, DC. The objective of this meeting was to analyze the assistance and technical cooperation that PAHO will offer to the countries of the Americas in the efficient prevention, control and response to the security threats posed by this type of terrorism, since it endangers public health in the continent. For more information on this meeting, please click here.

On October 8^th, 2001, the member states of MERCOSUR along with Bolivia and Chile, issued a joint statement regarding the events and aftermath of September 11^th , 2001. In addition to condemning the terrorist attacks and expressing solidarity with the international community, the countries expressed strong support for concerted international action against terrorism, using legal instruments consistent with the principles of International Law and available within the framework of the Organization of American States and the United Nations. MERCOSUR also announced the creation of a Permanent Working Group to coordinate anti-terrorist activities on a regional basis, with the anticipated cooperation of Bolivia and Chile. For a full copy of the statement (in Spanish), please click here.

The Organization of American States agreed on September 21, 2001, to give full support to the United States of America within the framework of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty). The summoning of the meeting under the Rio Treaty was made by Brazil.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 23 countries members of TIAR considered the terrorist attacks as "attacks against all the American States" and asked from all its members to collaborate in taking to justice those who are responsible for them. The approved resolution emphasizes that if a State Party of TIAR has "reason to believe that persons in its territory may have been involved in or in any way assisted the September 11, 2001 attacks, (…) such State party shall use all legally available measures to pursue, capture, extradite and punish those individuals". It also says that “all States Party to the Rio Treaty shall provide effective reciprocal assistance to address such attacks and the threat of any similar attacks against any American state, and to maintain the peace and security of the continent".

On September 21, 2001, in Washington DC, OAS member countries agreed to raise a united front against terrorism and reiterated their solidarity with the United States of America in relation to the September 11, 2001 attacks that took place in New York and Washington. 

In a special meeting of the Organization's 34 Members the Ministers of Foreign Affairs approved by consensus a resolution exhorting all OAS countries to "reinforce regional and international cooperation against terrorism". The document establishes that the fight must be done with "full compliance to the law," to human rights and to democratic institutions in order to preserve the rule of law, the liberties and the democratic values of the hemisphere. It also instructs the OAS Permanent Council to convene at the earliest time possible a meeting of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), to decide urgent measures to strengthen regional cooperation to "prevent, fight and eliminate terrorism in the Hemisphere". The resolution entrusts the Permanent Council to elaborate a draft of an Inter-American Convention against Terrorism, to be presented at the next OAS General Assembly in June 2002, and invites the Inter-American Defense Board to advise the Committee on Hemispheric Security when necessary. Another paragraph commends the Committee on Hemispheric Security to speed up work towards a Special Conference on Security. 

In order to diminish the impact of the new international economic reality created by the terrorist attacks against the United States, the Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guillermo Fernández de Soto, proposed the prompt celebration of a meeting of Ministers of Economy of the hemisphere with the participation of the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank.   To see more about CICTE, please see this site.

On September 19, 2001, the Organization of American States called upon the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR) to consider the terrorist attacks perpetrated against the United States of America on September 11, 2001. The 34 members of the OAS Permanent Council agreed by acclamation to summon the Organ of Consultation of the TIAR by means of the Ministers on Foreign Affairs, to examine measures against terrorism. The Council also convoked a Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs under the provisions of the OAS Charter to consider an exhaustive strategy on hemispheric security. The two meetings will take place consecutively on September 21, 2001.

The Council responded to Mexico’s call to convene the Foreign Affairs Meeting under the OAS Charter and to that of Brazil to activate the mutual defense treaty (TIAR).

Those countries that are not members of the TIAR will attend the consultation meeting as observers. Canada, one of the 12 countries that is not a member of the TIAR, urged all the OAS members, whether TIAR members or not, to integrate a united front against terrorism and dedicate all their energies and available resources to this objective.