The London Attacks: What Now For The G-8

By Victor Comras

International terrorism was to be a back burner issue at this years Gleneagles G-8 summit. But, today�s horrendous terrorist attacks against London�s subway and bus system will likely place new urgent priority on the counter-terrorism agenda issue. Initial planning called for little more than a statement regarding the continuing efforts of the G-8 governments to combat terrorism. This was to include new calls on the UN General Assembly to adopt the draft comprehensive anti-terrorism convention (containing a straight forward definition of terrorism. The G-8 was also expected to encourage the international community to become more active and vigilant in carrying out the FATF issued counter-terrorism financing recommendations and best practices guidelines. The G-8 leaders, and other invited Government leaders will now have to respond more dramatically to public expectations that they will now take new, re-invigorated action to respond to this latest terrorist challenge. What steps might the G-8 now consider?

First of all, the G-8 might could decide to throw even more weight behind the push for a new comprehensive anti terrorism convention. The key element in such a convention would be a clear and straight forward definition of terrorism that would eliminate any wiggle-room countries now have to protect favored �so-called freedom fighters� even though they employ terrorist tactics. It would also require all countries to either prosecute or extradite those engaged in terrorist activities. Now is the time for G-8 leaders to push energetically for such a convention.

Secondly, the G-8 might put new energy behind its previous CTAG initiative. That initiative called for the identification of countries that lacked the resources or the political will to carry out agreed international counter-terrorism measures. Once identified special resource assistance would be offered. Where appropriate, further measures might also be adopted to press these countries to conform to their international obligations. Unfortunately, so little has been accomplished so far under this 2002 G-8 initiative.

Third, the G-8 might decide to expand on the very useful bi-lateral relationships some of them have established to share intelligence and other information concerning terrorists. This might include a central data bank of information on known and suspected terrorists, that could be shared widely among participating countries. For their part the EU countries might choose to accelerate their plans to upgrade their Schengen Information System ahead of the scheduled 2007 inauguration.

Fourth, the UN Security Council is now about to consider new measures to re-enforce its counter-terrorism resolutions against Al Qaeda and associated individuals and entities. This should include an expansion of the obligations on member countries to take effective measures against known al Qaeda operatives and financiers. This should include an obligation that their host countries keep track of those designated by the UN�s Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee, and report regularly to the Committee on their whereabouts.

Now is not the time for the G-8 to taut successes in the war on terrorism. Rather it must demonstrate anew its determination to take firm action against terrorists, those that support terrorists, and those that tolerate terrorists within their borders.

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