Signing: Ambassador Paul Durand, Permanent Rep. of Canada to the OAS

Present: Assistant Deputy Minister for the Americas, Marc Lortie


The nature of terrorism has been changing steadily since the end of the Cold War. Migration, the erosion of frontiers, the increasing ease of travel, the revolution in technology and aspirations and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are among the many factors driving this change. Preventing terrorist activity very much depends on the collection, analysis and dissemination of information and intelligence, and on cooperation between governments.

It also depends on the actions of individuals: Canadian citizens responded immediately to the September 11 attacks by giving blood, volunteering their time, money and services, and opening their towns and even their homes to the over 33,000 stranded, anxious passengers who came to Canada on the 224 international flights diverted to Canadian territory in the immediate hours following the attacks.

As former Minister of Foreign Affairs John Manley put it: "The terrorist acts of September 11th took place over US skies and on US land, but they were an attack against us all. Their victims came from all parts of the world, representing many ethnicities, and many faiths. Moreover, these acts have violated the values and principles which all peace-loving nations - all of the members of this hemispheric family - hold dear. "

Even before the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Hemisphere had begun to develop policies and laws that were based on the principles that terrorism must be prevented, perpetrators of terrorist acts brought to swift justice, and terrorists denied sanctuary and support.

These efforts were accelerated following the 23rd Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs held here at OAS Headquarters on September 21 of last year. The Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) was strengthened significantly, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs agreed to work expeditiously to develop an Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism. That Convention was approved by the General Assembly on June 3, 2002, and opened for signature the same day.

Canada has worked in many international fora, including the OAS, the G7/8 and the United Nations for over twenty years to develop legal tools and international standards to combat terrorism. Canada has signed all twelve UN counter-terrorism conventions and has ratified all of them.

Canada is the first country to ratify the OAS Convention. And Canada's signature today brings the total OAS member States who have signed the Convention to 33. The region’s rapid development and adherence to this practical anti-terrorism instrument is a remarkable achievement and a clear sign of this hemisphere's unwavering commitment to fight terrorism and preserve and strengthen democracy.


The next step in deepening regional cooperation against terrorism will be the 3rd Regular Session of CICTE, to be held in San Salvador this coming January. The Committee will discuss how to further strengthen CICTE and will approve the Committee's work plan for 2003-2004. Canada's example and leadership augur well for the success of the meeting, and for the broader global fight against terrorism.