COLOMBIA: Global experts in security and counter-terrorism gather in Colombia to discuss strategies for fighting terrorism and drug trafficking

Record ID: 351930

  • Title: COLOMBIA: Global experts in security and counter-terrorism gather in Colombia to discuss strategies for fighting terrorism and drug trafficking
  • Date: 2nd April 2009
  • Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (MARCH 31, 2009) (REUTERS) (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) VARIOUS OF COLOMBIAN DEFENSE MINISTER JUAN MANUEL SANTOS DURING COLOMBIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM ADMIRAL JAMES STAVRITIS, HEAD OF THE U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND, DURING NATIONAL ANTHEM COLOMBIAN MILITARY BAND VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE GENERAL VIEW OF STAVRITIS DURING SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (English) ADMIRAL JAMES STAVRITI
  • Embargoed: 17th April 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA4BSQ4OWYSHJAIVNGNSX5Y5DNL
  • Story Text: Counter-terrorism experts from throughout the world gathered in Bogota on Tuesday (March 31) to discuss the threats challenging security across the globe.
    Colombian President Alvaro Uribe appeared at the event as well as Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos and the head of the U.S. Southern Command, Admiral James Stavridis.
    Stavridis underscored the importance of the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking all over the world.

    "Whoever buys drugs, sets off a car bomb in Colombia shows us the nexus of terrorism and narcotics. This is something to be considered not just here in Colombia of course, but also in Afghanistan and many other places in which insurgencies are in progress," he told the conference.
    Counter-terrorism specialists from the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa shared their experiences and knowledge of different countries and organizations. They discussed how they could strengthen their efforts by following Colombia's example in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
    Uribe said that despite many successes his administration has had in Colombia, the country needed to maintain momentum.

    "My immediate concern is that the Colombian people endorse their willingness for the country to continue on the road of democratic security without shirking their responsibilities. My immediate concern is to strengthen, in the opinion of the Colombians, the policy of democratic security, to prevent electoral maneuvering from affecting it," he said.
    Other attendees included the U.S. Ambassador in Colombia, William Brownfield and high-ranking military officials from the United States, United Kingdom and Pakistan.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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