The U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism,
Ambassador J. Cofer Black, will lead a U.S. delegation in
the Fourth Regular Session of the Organization of American
States Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE)
to be held Jan. 28 to 30 in Montevideo.
The CICTE conference will focus on solidifying
CICTE as an effective counterterrorism organization and
homeland security in the western hemisphere.
Ambassador Black’s delegation includes
US government representatives actively involved in advancing
U.S. counterterrorism efforts, including, John Maisto, U.S.
Ambassador to the OAS; Ambassador Cresencio Arcos, Director
for International Affairs for the Department of Homeland
Security; Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal
Division of the Justice Department John Malcolm, and a representative
of the Maritime Administration.
Participants in the CICTE conference will
discuss terrorism threats in the hemisphere and effective
counterterrorism strategies. Also on the agenda are proposed
amendments to CICTE’s work plan aimed at clarifying
the organization’s role in promoting transportation
security, particularly at airports and seaports, and in
addressing threats to cyber security.
The participants are expected to act on
a “Declaration of Montevideo,” which reaffirms
the organization’s counterterrorism commitments and
lays out CICTE’s priorities for the coming year. The
focus is on emerging terrorist threats and their means of
delivery by terrorists.
The CICTE was formed in January 2002
and currently includes countries in the OAS. The U.S. has
contributed more than $1 million for CICTE’s programs
and administration and plans to continue support for the
organization this fiscal year.
Black was sworn in on Dec. 3, 2002,
as the State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism
with the rank of Ambassador at Large.
The State Department is the lead federal agency dealing
with international terrorism, and Ambassador Black’s
office, S/CT, has primary responsibility for developing,
coordinating, and implementing U.S. counterterrorism policy.
On behalf of the Secretary, Ambassador Black represents
the Department on the Counterterrorism Security Group. His
office plays a leading role on the Department of State’s
counterterrorism task forces organized to coordinate responses
to international terrorist incidents. Ambassador Black’s
responsibilities include coordinating U.S. Government efforts
to improve counterterrorism cooperation with foreign governments,
including the policy and planning of the Department’s
Antiterrorism Training Assistance Program.
Links:
January
14, 2004
Special
Summit of the Americas: Declaration of Nuevo León
January 2, 2004
U.S.
Engagement in the Western Hemisphere
Inter-American
Convention Against Terrorism
23 January 2004
U.S.
Officials Outline Goals for Hemispheric Anti-Terrorism Meeting
Diplomats hail efforts of Inter-American Committee Against
Terrorism
Patterns
of Global Terrorism 2002: Latin America Overview
Dept
of State Counterterrorism Office
December 3, 2003
Meeting
of the "3+1" Counterterrorism Group -- Communique
Asuncion, Paraguay
Washington, DC, February 20, 2002
International
Terrorism: American Hostages U.S. Government Policy
October 30, 2003
How
U.S. Diplomacy Supports the Campaign Against International
Terrorism
Ambassador Cofer Black, Coordinator for Counterterrorism
Remarks to the Council on Foreign Affairs
Baltimore, Maryland
Washington, DC, May 23, 2003
Current
list of FTOs
Fact Sheet, Office of Counterterrorism
Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Rewards
For Justice program
Response
to Terrorism website from IIP
CICTE
website
National
Strategy for Combating Terrorism
White House, Feb 2003
