EU?s New Comprehensive Anti-Terrorism Strategy Not All That Its Cracked Up To Be!

By Victor Comras

Last week the EU Commission proposed four new measures to strengthen the EU�s counter-terrorism program. The Commission cast their proposals as a new �comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy.� But, the measures they proposed certainly lack sufficient substance to justify such billing. They include a $7 million Euro pilot project for terrorism prevention, preparedness and response; a proposal that the Commission engage all EU members as parties to the Council of Europe�s latest Convention for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, and a �Communication� (ie Statement of EU Programs) for combating violent radicalism and terrorist recruitment. Most notable in the new package is the Commission�s proposal to require the retention of electronic communication traffic data. Europe� telecom companies and other service providers had strongly opposed such measures. They were joined by several human rights groups concerned by the inroads such requirements would make on rights of privacy and other civil liberties. The proposal would require all providers of publicly available electronic communications, or a public telecommunications network, to retain data related to mobile and fixed telephony for one year and all internet communications for six months. However, the requirement does not extend to the actual content of the communications. There is also provision for reimbursing service providers for any demonstrated additional costs they may incur. This proposal still requires the agreement of the European Parliament and the Council.

Counter-terrorism authorities in a number of EU countries had pushed for even more stringent electronic communication retention rules. They argue that such measures would be of great assistance to tracking terrorists and preventing terrorist attacks. The EU Council reportedly may decide to trump the EU Commission�s proposals by adopting stronger requirements that would extend data retention for both telephonic and internet communications for up to three years. This possibility was vetted publicly at several Council meetings. See reports of the European Council of 16/17 June and, the special meeting following the July 7 London attacks.

The Commission�s new program provides only a very modest 7 million Euro for what it deems a �pilot project on prevention, preparedness and response to terrorism� These funds will be directed at implementing at least some of the programs announced by the Commission last October. Some two thirds �5.4 million Euro - will go for preparation of a future European Program for Critical Infrastructure Protection. One million Euros is being allocated for projects to enhance European expertise on terrorism. This will include funding studies on violent radicalisation and on the financing of terrorism. The Commission also proposes to create two new European networks of experts: one in the field of �violent radicalization,� and the other on the �economics of security.� Much of the remainder will also be used to support a �civic and democratic debate on �fighting terrorism, securing freedom.�� The Commission promises to consider further funding for these projects next year.

The Council of Europe�s new Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism updates and expands an earlier COE treaty adopted in 1990. It was opened for signature on May 16, 2005. The new Convention significantly tightens financial regulatory standards and implementation measures and incorporates several of FATF anti-money laundering and terrorism financing recommendations.

The Commission�s �communication� on factors contributing to violent radicalisation and terrorism recruitment carries forth a directive included in the 2004 Hague Program. It provides a basic index of pre-existing EU programs available to stem the spread of terrorist propaganda and a basic game plan to begin using these programs to better advantage. The devil here will be in the details. We mus wait and see just how effective this new proposed European public media, education and social initiative will actually be.

Madrid and London were stark wakeup calls for Europe�s leadership. Its time for the EU commission to grasp the very enormity of the tasks ahead in combating terrorism within their midst and internationally. While the modest proposals developed last week are certainly positive steps, they certainly do not merit the �comprehensive� accolade they have been given. So much more is still needed from the EU Commission, Parliament and Council, and from Europe�s national leaders, to pull the EU countries out of a general lethargy in dealing with terrorism and to get them to do their part.

TrackBack