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News Release

Contact:
Stephanie L. Tennyson
703-525-0770
stennyson[at]potomacinstitute[dot]org

Arlington, VA, January 25, 2008—International cooperation, partnership, and the success of current counter-terrorism efforts were themes that characterized remarks made by three European Ambassadors and a Department of State Official at the National Press Club.

The standing room only crowd gathered to hear remarks during the Potomac Institute’s International Center for Terrorism Studies annual terrorism review session—Terrorism: Review of 2007 and Outlook for 2008. The panelists included: The Honorable Frank C. Urbancic Jr., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy to the Coordinator, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State; The Honorable João de Vallera, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States; The Honorable Samuel Zbogar, Ambassador of Slovenia to the United States; and The Honorable Elena Poptodorova, Ambassador of Bulgaria to the United States.

Potomac Institute Chairman and CEO, Michael S. Swetnam, welcomed the panelists and the guests to the event. He recognized the importance of this event to exchange information and lessons learned on combating terrorism and radicalization taking place across the globe. Mr. Swetnam then introduced Prof. Yonah Alexander, Director of the International Center for Terrorism Studies and the Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies, co-sponsors of the event. Prof. Alexander noted that no country is immune to terrorism, and that it is important to look back and learn from the past to assist with the challenges of the future.

As each speaker presented other common themes from the experience of these diverse nations and governments became evident. The importance of communications and perceptions as tools to defeat terrorists and radicalization was emphasized by all. The nations that have joined together to fight terrorism must show the at-risk populations alternatives to violence and demonstrate that they do have a stake in their future.

Secretary Urbancic remarked that we must remind ourselves that there have been successes in the past year and that the world is not as bad as it once was. Anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering legislation through the world has made it more difficult for terrorist elements to operate. He stressed the importance of bilateral security and training, trusted networks and partnerships, including those in which the United States is not always in the lead.

Ambassador de Vallera stated that 9/11 struck the world and us all by surprise—it hurt us all in our spirits and minds. As had been noted, terrorism is not new, but the enemy we face is different in shape and size than any that we have faced before. They are not aiming for political or social goals, but rather to destroy our civilization, our way of life. He stressed that we must prevent and respond to radicalization and recruitment. The Ambassador offered examples of partnerships from the European Union nations that are working to accomplish this goal.

Ambassador Poptodorova welcomed being a new partner for democracy in the world. She noted the importance of Bulgaria in the fight against terrorism due to its geographical location. The Ambassador offered examples of how her nation is combating the terrorist element and radicalization. Ambassador Poptodorova stated that we must challenge terrorist tactics and strategies aimed at recruitment. In her remarks, she also implored the audience to not forget chemical weapons and their potential use as well as the increasing role of criminal activity linked to terrorism including drug and human trafficking.

After thoughtful and engaging questions from the audience, closing remarks were offered by General Al Gray, USMC (Ret.), the 29 th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps and a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute. He noted once again that terrorism is not new. He faced it in Vietnam and examples can be seen our own Revolutionary War tactics. General Gray said that America needs to do more listening to our partner nations and that we cannot win this war against terrorism without such alliances. He emphasized that more must be done with the media and communication in combating the radical ideas that are persuading people to take up the cause. He stated that most people in this world want security and don’t care where they get it—and in order to win hearts and minds we must take care of them or someone else will. General Gray also remarked that as we fight against radical ideas we must be careful to preserve our freedom, and to ensure that the American public knows, as the previous speakers stressed, the long battle we are up against.

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The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research institute. The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science, technology, and national security issues facing our society. From these discussions and forums, we develop meaningful policy options and ensure their implementation at the intersection of business and government.

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