*EPF404 08/15/2002
Fact Sheet: State Dept. Introduces Terrorist Interdiction Program
(Program aims to impede terrorists' capabilities) (580)

Following is a fact sheet from the Department of State's Office of Counterterrorism about a new Terrorist Interdiction Program (TIP) designed to impede terrorists' capabilities to move freely by assisting countries in securing their borders and improving their capability to interdict and prevent the transit of terrorist suspects.

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U.S. Department of State
Fact Sheet
Office of Counterterrorism
Washington, D.C.
July 19, 2002

Terrorist Interdiction Program (TIP)

Terrorism has become a truly global threat, with terrorists, weapons, and funds flowing across international borders. This poses a clear danger to all countries and increases the need for international coordination and mutual assistance. The Terrorist Interdiction Program is one of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism��s (S/CT) responses. TIP impedes terrorists' capabilities to move freely by assisting countries in securing their borders and improving their capability to interdict and prevent the transit of terrorist suspects -- a critical component of the global effort to fight terrorism.

What is TIP?

What is PISCES?

What are the intent and goals of TIP?

What has TIP achieved?

What is TIP?

TIP is a highly effective, low-cost, proven tool in the global fight against terrorism. It provides participant countries with the ability to collect, compare and analyze traveler data to assist the country in securing its borders and, if necessary, detain individuals of interest. TIP operates on two different tracks: intercepting suspects and providing data for investigative purposes.

What is PISCES?

PISCES is a software application, tailored to each country��s specific needs, which provides border control officials at these transit points with information that allows them to identify and detain or track individuals of interest.

Officials can also use PISCES to quickly retrieve information on persons who may be trying to hastily depart the country after a terrorist incident. Furthermore, TIP trains border control officials to use PISCES to collect, compare and analyze data that can be utilized to arrest and investigate suspects.

What are the intent and goals of TIP?

TIP seeks to bolster international counterterrorism cooperation in preventing terrorists from moving freely from country to country. Through PISCES, TIP achieves this goal by providing border officials in willing nations with increased capacity to collect, compare, and analyze traveler data. TIP helps tighten the noose at key terrorist transit points world-wide. In doing so, it enhances both the security of Americans who live and travel abroad and the assisted nation s people.

What has TIP achieved?

TIP has been recognized by President Bush as a key tool in expanding international counterterrorism cooperation. Through partnerships with participant countries, TIP has identified known or suspected terrorists. Such successes show the two-fold benefits of TIP: better protection for U.S. citizens at home and overseas and better protection of citizens in participating countries.

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

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