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<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>MR. KILGOUR - ADDRESS TO L'INSTITUT DIPLOMATIQUE ET DES RELATIONS INTERNATIONALES [INSTITUTE FOR DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS] - ALGIERS, ALGERIAON CANADA AND </title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE DAVID KILGOUR, SECRETARY OF STATE (LATIN AMERICA AND AFRICA), TO L'INSTITUT DIPLOMATIQUE ET DES RELATIONS INTERNATIONALES [INSTITUTE FOR DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS] ON CANADA AND THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM ALGIERS, Algeria January 13, 2002 I am pleased to have this opportunity today to outline the actions Canada has taken in the fight against terrorism following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. These events have rallied the international community and united us not only in our grief and indignation, but also in our commitment and determination. As horrifying as the September 11 atrocities were, this was not the world's first act of terrorism. Sadly, all too many of us here today are very well aware of this fact. Terrorism is meaningless and speaks for no one but criminals and murderers. It serves only to damage the causes that terrorists claim to be fighting for. Terrorism represents neither religion nor the wishes of governments or their citizens. This morning, I would like to focus on the significance and scope of the measures that we have taken since September 11, from military commitments and foreign aid to new laws, the freezing of terrorist assets, and major investments for tightening our security infrastructure within Canada. Within 45 minutes of the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., Canada threw open its doors across the country to receive a total of 224 diverted planes carrying more than 33 000 passengers and crew members. The Government of Canada then responded swiftly with its anti-terrorist plan, which has five objectives: • to prevent terrorists from entering Canada; • to protect Canadians against terrorist acts; • to activate tools to identify, prosecute, convict and punish terrorists; • to maintain secure borders while keeping them open for legitimate trade activity; and • finally, to work with the international community to bring terrorists to justice and address the root causes of terrorism. The Government of Canada plans to inject $7.7 billion over the next five years into enhancing the security of Canadians and making Canada's borders more secure, open and efficient. Another priority for Canada is the prevention of illegal migration and the efficient management of legitimate movement. On December 3, 2001, the governments of Canada and the United States signed a Joint Statement of Cooperation on Border Security and Regional Migration Issues. The government has moreover tabled legislation of vital importance. The Anti-Terrorism Act, introduced on October 15, includes measures aimed at: • identifying, prosecuting, convicting and punishing terrorists; • providing new investigative tools for law enforcement and national security agencies; and • ensuring that Canadian values of respect and fairness are maintained through stricter laws against hate crime and propaganda. The Public Safety Act, introduced on November 22, will amend some 18 federal laws in order to further strengthen the government's ability to protect Canadians, prevent terrorist attacks and respond swiftly should a significant threat arise. Canada acted rapidly to support Resolution 1373, adopted by the United Nations Security Council to freeze the assets of individuals who commit or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts and to prohibit the provision or collection of funds for terrorist activities. The government has invested an additional $73 million since September 11 in the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada to strengthen its ability to contribute to freezing possible terrorist financing. Canada has contributed direct military support, through its Operation Apollo, to the international anti-terrorism campaign led by the United States. Canada's Minister of National Defence, Art Eggleton, announced on January 7 that a contingent of 750 Canadian Armed Forces personnel would be joining the American forces to aid in the effort to remove the remaining Al-Qaida and Taliban fighters from southern Afghanistan. The first reconnaissance groups are already on their way to the Kandahar region in Afghanistan. We are expecting the whole contingent to be in Central Asia between now and February 15. Several Canadian warships have already joined the American fleet in the Sea of Oman, and Canada has also promised to supply transport and patrol aircraft. Canada is also working together with other countries on the diplomatic and humanitarian fronts, on both an individual and a multilateral basis, with a view to broadening the anti-terrorism coalition. Canada is working to foster the rebuilding of Afghanistan and the establishment of an administration and government in that country that will be representative, responsible, stable, inclusive and multi-ethnic. Moreover, Canada has provided $16 million in emergency aid to Afghanistan since September 11. This amount is in addition to the more than $12 million contributed this year before the crisis and over $160 million over the past ten years. Conclusion Though the events of September 11 have created new challenges and further fuelled some of our concerns about the future, these events have also given the international community some very clear common objectives. We must maintain the unprecedented solidarity and determination that have been so obviously demonstrated over the last few months in the coalition of states that have taken a definite stand against terrorism and terrorists -- particularly in regard to Asia, the Middle East, and this region, North Africa. Solidarity -- a common cause and united action -- is at the heart of the campaign to eliminate terrorism and is also the reason that the campaign must and will succeed. Thank you. </body> </html>

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