World Tribune.com

Berger: U.S. stopped terrorism cells in eight countries

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, January 10, 2000

WASHINGTON -- The United States has embarked on the largest counterterrorism effort ever, foiling terrorist cells in eight countries, a senior official says.

National Security Adviser Samuel Berger said that over the last few weeks Washington worked with its allies to foil millennium attacks being planned against U.S. targets around the world. He cited an intensive effort by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

"The last weeks of 1999 saw the largest US counter-terrorism operation in history," Berger told the National Press Club last week. "Terrorist cells were disrupted in eight countries and attacks were almost certainly prevented thanks to the good work of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies."

"But the threat remains real," Berger added. "We'll need to keep meeting this challenge just as we met it last week: with both vigilance and a refusal to be intimidated."

Berger's assertion was the first public indication by a senior U.S. official of the extent and success of recent U.S. efforts to prevent terrorist attacks during millennium celebrations abroad. Currently, U.S. authorities are searching for members of an alleged Algerian terrorist network that is accused of attempting to stage bombing attacks throughout the United States.

The national security adviser said a key challenge for the United States is to stop terrorists from acquiring biological, chemical or nuclear weapons. He said this would require continued U.S. support to nations of the former Soviet Union as well as restraining the missile and nuclear program of North Korea and Iran.

"Part of the challenge will be to make it more difficult for weapons of mass destruction and the missiles that can carry them to fall into the wrong hands," Berger said. "That requires the United States to do many things well at the same time: helping the nations of the former Soviet Union secure weapons and their key components. Continuing to prevent Iraq from threatening its neighbors. Restraining North Korea's missile and nuclear program and Iran's. Aggressively pursuing terrorists and maintaining pressure against those who shelter them, including the Taliban. Strengthening global standards against proliferation.

"And yes, that means eventually finding the common ground on the Test Ban Treaty that last year's truncated debate in the Senate prevented."

Monday, January 10, 2000


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