Vasyl Krutov
The first Deputy Secretary of the National
Security and Defense Council of Ukraine,
honorable chairman of the IAU,
Doctor of Law, professor

Need for New Approaches to Systematic
Counteraction to Terrorism

As it is pointed out in the UN Resolution the humanity faces two global threats – ecological catastrophes and terrorism. Current development of the international situation emphasizes the exceptional role of the civil society in fighting the most dangerous global challenge of the 21st century – terrorism.
Terrorism has existed for many centuries but it has never grown to such frightening proportions as it has become starting from the end of the 60ss of the last century. The issues of fighting terrorism constitute the agenda of today’s political and economic circles. Fortunately, this country was blessed to avoid suffering numerous terrorist attacks as many European countries.

Nevertheless, there is still a probability that Ukraine’s territory may be used by international terrorist organizations to sustain their international activities, for instance sheltering terrorists after terrorist acts, setting up businesses to finance terrorism or money laundering, buying weapons and other dangerous materials. Social and political development of Ukraine in recent years has been accompanied by negative tendencies which may promote terrorism. Among potential factors promoting terrorism there is one that should be carefully considered – sheltering advocates of international terrorist organizations on the territory of the state. Those fugitives are trying to promote radical Islamic teaching and terrorism among Muslim communities. The current situation in France, Belgium, Germany and Italy proves that mechanism of terrorism prevention prove to be inadequate as well as migration policies. Thus there is no confidence that security system of any European or any other state can be protected against the threats of terrorism. International terrorist organizations which are legally recognized – “Hamas”, “Muslim Brotherhood”, “Hizmut Tehliev”, “Al Quaeda”, “Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine” etc. – pose real threats to Europe of today.

As Ukraine is a part of the global world it is also subjected to global threat – terrorism. This phenomenon has shown significant increase in terms of scale and geography in recent years. Nowadays terrorists jeopardize security and international peace. International terrorism has changed tremendously recently turning into one of the key factors of international relations. Contemporary terrorism has a ramified and complicated structure and it finds its way through many forms. The paradigm of contemporary terrorism is characterized by ethnical, religious, ideological and other determiners (dominants) which are closely interwoven. One can never tell which kind of terrorism is being dealt with.

Besides there is strong evidence testifying to the constant modification and development of terrorism. To top it all, terrorism obtained characteristics linking it with other forms of social protest – aggression, armed opposition, military conflict, sabotage etc. eventually, it appeals to certain strata of society creating the background for terrorism supported by NGOs and political institutions of certain countries. The importance of this Forum stems from the above-mentioned threats and the necessity to consolidate all progressive forces to counteract to this dangerous social and political phenomenon.

Ukraine as a part of the world civil society can all but stand away from this problem. Modern stage of Ukrainian state development puts the subject of new national security architecture on the national agenda. There are grounds to consider that the possibility to realize this strategic task is defined by the consolidation of intellectual potential of state and civil organizations. No state apparatus can efficiently create and manage effective national security system in solitude no matter how powerful it is. There is a crying need for compromise between social and state efforts. This opens doors for preserving and achieving the goals outlined by the national antiterrorism policies and promotes opening setting up institutions of civil society and civil control over the national security system.

There are definite problems experienced during the cooperation between NGOs and state institutions in the field national security which can be projected onto the whole realm of relation s between the state and the society. Bureaucracy, red tape, fraud and unclear and non-transparent formation of national policy regardless of social initiatives are still the processes to be witnessed. Mechanisms ensuring a constant dialogue between the state and the society are to be developed. New principles of cooperation are required which would be based on the open dialogue when discussing the issues of counteraction to international terrorism. The scope of cooperation opportunities widened dramatically. Joint endeavors in this direction could improve internal political climate and partnership between the state and the society in the field of national security in general and fighting terrorism in particular. I think nobody can have doubt about the necessity of a dialogue between the state and the society as social partners in the fight against terrorism and finding common solutions. Society and NGOs should occupy their niche in the national system of terrorism counteraction. As for me, the main purpose of the 3rd International Antiterrorism Forum “State and Society – social partners in the fight against terrorism” is to attract attention of international community to the problem of new approaches to systematic counteraction to international terrorism and the role of NGOs in these activities.

The main purpose and objectives of the Forum spring from the global strategy of fighting terrorism declared by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on May, 2, 2006 which states five main components: persuasion of unsatisfied groups to abandon the use or support of terrorism as a tactical means to achieve their goals; depriving terrorist of the means of committing terrorist acts; preventing states from supporting terrorism; increasing states’ potential in terrorism prevention etc. one of the most important roles in the above-mentioned principles plays the protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism.

This concerns human rights of victims as well as suspects. UNESCO is in charge of encouraging compromise between civilizations, cultures and nationalities to solve this problem on the basis of religious dialogue. The basic principles of Kofi Annan’s strategy which we completely share are the following: terrorism in all of its forms is unacceptable regardless of whom and why resolves to it. No deed of mission no matter how righteous it is can justify terrorism.

We suggest managing antiterrorism activities “from the top” – meaning through state institutions on a national scale and managing “from the bottom” on the level of individuals, communities and NGOs. The basic principles of cooperation between the state and the society in the field of terrorism prevention can be constructivism, tolerance, consideration of all opinions and mandatory nature of joint decisions.

We stand for:

1. Development of partnership and dialogue to unify positions of different countries, civil and religious organizations in their approaches to terrorism prevention.
2. Improvement of international and national legislation in the field of fighting terrorism.
3. Consolidation of international and national social powers in the field of research and specialist training to prepare qualified staff in the area of terrorism prevention.
4. Increase of the awareness of the world community about the threats of international terrorism and promotion of proactive position of Europeans about the necessity of joint counteraction to all forms of terrorism.

We also support:

• Development and implementation of measures designed to promote joint activities of state institutions and NGOs, exploring and involving marginal groups of society;
• Cultural and educational programs, antiterrorism propaganda;
• Conflict monitoring;
• Participation of NGOs in legislation process, formation of the system of direct and reciprocal connection between society and state authorities;
• Organizing of antiterrorism forums, conferences and seminars;
• Development of educational programs of civil protection, behavior patterns in cases of emergency, vigilance tips to prevent terrorist acts and spot terrorist activities and threats in certain regions etc.

We suggest setting up a special workgroup made up by representatives of European NGOs to develop mechanisms of terrorism counteraction and increase the level of international and European security. We are planning to send this proposal to progressive European organizations. I hope that European institutions will take into consideration all our initiatives. I would like to greet once again the participants of the Forum. I am sure that resolutions and results of the Forum will become an important stage of antiterrorism history of state and social institutions not only in Ukraine but also Europe. Wish to all of us successful and fruitful work.

Thank you.