*EPF213 10/09/01
Text: OSCE Chair Fully Supports U.S., UK Strikes Against Terrorism
(Cites "inherent right of individual, collective self-defense") (410)

Citing "the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense," the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, expressed full support October 8 for the strikes launched by the United States and the United Kingdom against terrorist training camps and Taliban military installations in Afghanistan.

Following is the text of the OSCE press release:

(begin text)

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Chairman-in-Office
8 October 2001

OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE FULLY SUPPORTS MILITARY STRIKES ON AFGHANISTAN

VIENNA, 8 October 2001 (OSCE) - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, fully supports the targeted strikes launched yesterday by the United States and Great Britain against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and Taliban military installations in Afghanistan. "They form part of a larger, international campaign against global terrorism - a campaign in which the OSCE also has an important role to play", stressed Mr. Geoana. He added that he would back future actions to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a base for terrorist operations.

Following the 11 September terrorist attack against the United States, Washington has presented clear and compelling information in several international fora that the al Qaeda organization, which uses Afghanistan as a base of operations and enjoys the support of the Taliban regime, played a central role in these attacks.

Two weeks ago, the President of the United States demanded that Taliban leaders close all terrorist training camps and hand over the leaders of the al Qaeda network. The Taliban regime has met neither of these demands. "I therefore believe that these carefully targeted strikes are fully justified in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence", commented the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

On 13 September, the Permanent Council of the OSCE, in Decision No. 438 On The Acts Of Terrorism in New York City and Washington, D.C., clearly and forcefully expressed the determination of the 55 participating States of the Organization to unite to put an end to terrorism, which threatens peace and security throughout the world. This decision described terrorism as a scourge of our times and stated: "Those responsible for sponsoring, organizing, harbouring, and supporting in any way the execution of these criminal acts must be brought to justice."

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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