A blueprint for
counter-terrorism

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Now that the 454 experts representing 56 foreign countries have come up with a blueprint on how to defeat dilemmas in counter-terrorism, our world may be safer to live in.

The counter-terrorism draft, called the Cebu Concord, reflects the consensus and agreements of participating countries after a three-day exhaustive and expansive plenary and panel discussions on the various topics and sub-themes on how to defeat dilemmas in counter-terrorism.

The Cebu Concord, called such because the First Counter-Terrorism Experts Conference was held at Shangrila Mactan, Cebu, urges all nations, agencies and organizations to recognize and further explore the middle way as addition to the various approaches to counter the growing threat, spread, and impact of global terrorism. Ambassador Benjamin Defensor Jr., task force chairman, said the draft will be presented to President Arroyo as a testimony of support of the global community in its fight against terrorism.

The blueprint also acknowledged that there is a need for comprehensive long and short-term strategies in counter-terrorism capacities, particularly of developing states that need to be bridged through international cooperation, and that counter-terrorism may be best supported through appropriately attuned donor country mechanisms, assistance and coordination within and among donor and recipient countries, and bridging of gaps in education and training, legal framework and counter terrorism regime. We have to admit that we cannot combat terrorism alone in our jurisdiction, but we can help by condemning terrorist activities in all their forms and manifestations, because they constitute what is probably the most serious threats to international peace and security.*