The European Union (EU) on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to
the fight against terrorism, saying the 25-nation bloc will
continue to fight the global scourge alongside the United
States.
In a statement on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks
in the United States, European Commission (EC) President Jose
Manuel Barroso expressed solidarity with those left behind by the
Sept. 11 and other terrorist attacks.
The EC, EU's executive arm, will continue to deliver results
through the EU Counter-Terrorism Strategy and step up its efforts
in battling radicalization and recruitment, he said.
Effective policies are needed to prevent and detect the misuse
of explosives, protect critical infrastructure and ensure transport
security, he added.
Meanwhile, Barroso hinted that Washington should mind its
methods used in dealing with terrorist suspects when he said
respect for human rights and other shared values should be upheld
while conducting anti-terror warfare.
"We are more determined than ever to tackle the causes, and the
consequences of global terrorism. We have to tackle not just the
methods used but also the ideas of those that wage this campaign,"
he said.
"Ignorance and mistrust are essential to the terrorists'
strategy. Our response must be to stand up for our values, namely
respect for human rights, which are the surest guarantee of our
future security," Barroso said.
The EU has been at odds with the United States over the handling
of terrorist suspects. It has urged against abduction of suspects
without due judicial procedures and criticized mistreatment of
suspects under US detention. An European Parliament committee is
investigating the alleged CIA jails in Europe.
Franco Frattini, the commission's vice-president for justice,
freedom and security, also wrote Sunday to the US Secretary for
Homeland Security and the US Attorney General to reassure them of
the continued commitment of the EU to increased cooperation with
Washington in the war on terror.
The fight against terrorism remains a priority for the EU five
years from the 2001 attacks, he said in the letter, stressing that
the EU and the US have worked closely together at all levels.
He also jabbed at what the EU sees as US failures in respecting
human rights.
"Our joint efforts have helped us safeguard our societies based
on the rule of law and democracy, as we both agree that we can
fight terrorism effectively only on the basis of our fundamental
values," Frattini said in a clear reference to the methods
Washington used in capturing and questioning terrorist
suspects.
(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2006)
