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URUGUAY RATIFIES HEMISPHERIC ANTI-TERRORISM TREATY

The government of Uruguay today deposited its instruments of ratification for the Inter-American Convention against Terrorism, which the Organization of American States (OAS) member countries adopted at the General Assembly in Bridgetown, Barbados, in June 2002. With its accession, Uruguay has joined 21 other states in ratifying this OAS treaty.

Ambassador María del Luján Flores, Uruguay’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, presented the ratification instruments to Secretary General José Miguel Insulza. She noted that by its nature, the scourge of terrorism “cannot be tackled solely at the national level; rather, it increasingly requires international cooperation and thus the importance of multilateral instruments in this area.”

The Uruguayan diplomat said her country places priority on this hemispheric anti-terrorism treaty and cited its longstanding support for initiatives to strengthen cooperation in this regard. She highlighted numerous international efforts against terrorism, notably the adoption of the Declaration of Lima to Prevent, Combat and Eliminate Terrorism, as well as the establishment of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (known by its Spanish acronym, CICTE). “Uruguay has always supported CICTE,” the Uruguay Ambassador stated.

She also lauded the “remarkably speedy” process that led to the adoption of the Inter-American Convention against Terrorism. Ambassador del Luján Flores said the treaty is especially important because, in reaffirming the fight against terrorism, it establishes concrete measures against money-laundering and the financing of terrorism, among other elements.

Hailing Uruguay’s ratification, Secretary General Insulza talked about anti-terrorism efforts being carried out by the OAS and its member states. “The best weapon against terrorism unquestionably lies in the confidence that is established among peoples,” as well as in the unity that nations are forging to solve their overarching problems, and in solid hemispheric and international relationships, Insulza said.

The countries of the Americas “have honored our commitment. Nobody can doubt that in the Western Hemisphere we have developed the cooperation that is expected of us,” Insulza said during the brief ceremony at OAS headquarters, with Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin also in attendance.

Insulza stressed the importance of “always ensuring that this effort against terrorism is considered in the context of the Organization’s initiatives to strengthen democracy, improve conditions for development, reduce poverty, build mutual confidence among countries, and progressively break down barriers separating us.”

Reference: E-025/07