Faurie: “The fight against terrorism depends on multilateral cooperation, on us being informed and alert, and sharing solutions to eradicate this cruel scourge”

“In 1992, the walls of this Palace shook after a bomb went off at the Embassy of Israel, 300 metres away from here.  Argentina woke up that day and terrorism became a cruel reality,” Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie stated today as he opened the Second Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism Ministerial Conference, held at the Palacio San Martín.

Faurie, together with the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, and Foreign Ministers and Ministers from across the continent, went on to address the 1994 AMIA bombing, on the 25th anniversary of which the conference took place. “Argentina will spare no efforts to bring the suspects before Argentine courts,” he stated.

The Foreign Minister highlighted “the duty of States, as those politically responsible, to cut off terrorism funding, to deny safe havens to the accused, to increase prevention in light of the use of new technologies, developing tools to limit the spread of terrorist ideologies.”

“Argentina suffered two brutal attacks. Terrorism is a global and constant threat that transcends borders and always brings suffering and excruciating pain. The fight against terrorism depends on multilateral cooperation, on us being informed and alert, and sharing solutions to eradicate this cruel scourge,” he stressed.

Faurie underscored the considerable number of Western hemisphere attendants and highlighted Argentina’s commitment. “Argentina condemns terrorism in all its forms, regardless of motivation and without exception. We believe that terrorism must be countered with tools provided under the rule of law, through international cooperation,” he added.

“In the region, we are worried about the presence of individuals and entities linked to terrorist and radicalized groups, either through funding or recruitment attempts. President Macri’s administration, understanding the feelings of our society, made the fight against terrorism a key security goal, imposing rigorous coordination on a hemispheric and domestic level,” he noted.

“We have to continue working to fight this phenomenon, defending life. We have to cooperate together to make it happen,” he concluded. Faurie then thanked the United States, represented by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in cooperation with the Department of State and other agencies, for its support for the holding of the event.