West Africa Internal Security Symposium opens

Accra, Sept. 11, GNA - As the United States marks the sixth anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks in that country, some 25 military and security experts from Africa and the US are gathered in Accra to brainstorm on internal security in West Africa. The six-day symposium is being organised by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in collaboration with the US European Command, the US Special Operations Command and the Joint Special Operations University in the US.

The symposium, part of international efforts in support of the Global War on terrorism and on the theme: "Maintaining Internal Security through Countering Extremism", seeks to enable participating countries to work together to counter terrorism in their respective countries or regions.

Participants will reflect on the challenges terrorism presents and what governments could do in reaction. They will also discuss ideas and perspectives of experts from Canada and the US. Opening the symposium on Tuesday at the KAIPTC in Accra, Mr Garry Pergyl, the Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy said the fight against terrorism was a concerted one for values and principles that were universal.

He noted that while the colour of ones skin, language and worship could be different, people everywhere aspired to speak their minds, participate in their society, worship freely, live in security and pursue education, jobs and greater opportunities for their families. "No faith or culture condones the deliberate targeting and killing of innocent civilians and no cause or grievance, no matter how legitimate, can ever justify it," he said.

Mr Pergyl said the arrests last week in Germany and other incidents in the six years since the September 11 attacks demonstrated that terrorism was still a dangerous and ever-present threat to countries and people throughout the world and therefore the need for vigilance. He said as the world looked back on the September 11, 2001 attacks, it should also look forward to work in the spirit of partnership to foster a climate of hope and opportunity for all. 11 Sept. 07