Although terrorism existed on a smaller scale before, the events of September 11, 2001 involving attacks against the U.S. resulted in highlighting terrorism on the international stage like never before. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and the FBI unanimously define terrorism as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives” (Payne, 2007).
The world has witnessed three deadly terrorist attacks in recent years against the U.S. and Europe. The first was the unprecedented 9/11 attack against the U.S. that resulted in the death of 2972 people (September11victims.com, 2004) besides leaving many more maimed for life. The second was the ferocious bombings of Madrid’s train network on March 11, 2004 that killed 191 and wounded 1,824 people (Cnn.com, 2004). The third was the vicious bombs detonated on London’s tube trains and buses on July 7, 2005 that killed 56 people and maimed 700 more (Frost, 2005).
These terrorist attacks jolted the U.S. and EU into undertaking counter-terrorism measures in close cooperation with each other, to , “form a comprehensive coalition strategy against Islamic terrorism, exchange terrorist information with trusted allies, and strengthen border security by fostering global cooperation.” Since 9/11, the U.S. and EU officials hold regular meetings to discuss strategies against terrorism. The U.S. Secretary of State, Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security hold high profile annual meetings with their opposite numbers in the EU, while senior members of a joint U.S.-EU group hold half-yearly meetings. Liaison officers have been posted on both sides – two officers from Europol are stationed in Washington, while one FBI officer is posted in The Hague. A U.S. Secret Service representative is also stationed in the same Dutch city to interact with Europol on counterfeiting matters. The close cooperation has enabled officials on both sides to update their terrorist information and create an ongoing formal discussion on terrorist financing and border/transport security matters such as sharing passenger information, statistical study of biological data, cargo safety and sky marshals (Archick, 2006).
Another achievement has been the signing of two Police and Judicial cooperation agreements , authorizing U.S. law enforcement agencies and Europol to make common use of ‘strategic’ data , and ‘personal’ data . Both sides also concluded two agreements in 2003 on Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance to enhance the process of extradition and prosecution. Due to the EU opposition to the death penalty in the U.S., it was agreed that anyone extradited from the EU to the U.S. would not be given the death sentence there. Two Border Control and Transport Security agreements were concluded in 2004 that, among other things, allowed U.S. Container Security Initiative officers to be posted in EU ports to assist initial scanning of cargo containers destined for the U.S. to prevent smuggling of dangerous substances including weapons of mass destruction (Archick, 2006).
The U.S. and EU extended their cooperation in many other areas. They agreed to exchange data on lost or pilfered passports, statistical identifiers of biological data, and aviation safety technology (Archick, 2006).
However, although thankfully not major in nature, some areas of dissent and difference have arisen. First of all, while the U.S. insists on having armed air marshals on flights to Europe, only the U.K and France have agreed to it. Secondly, the U.S. looks upon Europol as not adequately capable of proper law enforcement. Thirdly, both sides protest that the process of sharing data leaves much to be desired. Fourthly, terrorist lists of both sides do not always complement each other, for instance, in spite of pressure from the U.S., some EU countries prefer not to add charities linked to Hama’s or Hezbollah to the EU common terrorist list. Fifthly, the EU does not approve of new U.S. pressure to receive PNR lists ‘before’ rather than ‘after’ airplanes have left EU soil bound for the U.S. Lastly, the EU is pressurized by its nationals’ skeptical view of U.S. policies considered increasing distance from the ‘hearts and minds’ of Muslims, such as continued U.S. involvement in Iraq, past atrocities against prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, and continued internment of persons believed guilty of terrorist crimes at Guantanamo Bay prison (Archick, 2006).
In spite of these minor differences, both the U.S. and EU continue their cooperation against terrorism. Their cooperation has resulted in the very commendable foiling of several terrorist attacks. First, two West and East Airliner Plots were uncovered in 2002 and 2003 that intended to employ hijacked planes to attack the West and East Coasts of the U.S. (Whitehouse.gov, 2005). Second, the Millennium Bomb Plot in August 2005 spearheaded by Algerian Ahmed Ressam to set off bombs in Los Angeles airport (Cbsnews.com, 2005); Third, the U.K Plane Bombing Plot in August 2006 plan to simultaneously detonate explosives aboard 10 airplanes flying from the U.K to the U.S. (Cnn.com, 2006). Fourth, the Germany Bombing Plot in September 2007 to bomb U.S. bases in Germany (Whitlock, 2007). Fifth, the Copenhagen Conspiracy hatched by 8 young Muslims, also in September 2007, to perpetrate acts of terrorism in the Danish city (Economist.com, 2007).
The continued cooperation between the U.S. and EU is very crucial in the fight against terrorism because the ‘mother of all terrorists,’ Al Qaeda has, according to latest U.S. military intelligence reports, regrouped to its pre-September 11, 2001 strength . The continued potent threat posed by Al Qaeda is evident from its ominous announcement in September this year that it intends to enhance attacks especially against those countries that are supporting security forces in Iraq (Hegseth, 2007).
References
Anon. (2005). 22 Years for Millennium Bomb Plot. 2007. Web.
Anon. (2006). Agent Infiltrated Terror Cell, U.S. Says. 2007.
Anon. (2005). Fact Sheet: Plots, Casings, & Infiltrations Referenced in President Bush’s remarks on the War on Terror. Web.
Anon. (2007). Foiled, This Time.
Anon. (2004). Massacre in Madrid. 2007. Web.
Anon. (2004). September 11, 2001 Victims. 2007. Web.
Archick, K. (2006). U.S.-EU Cooperation against Terrorism. 2007.
Frost, M. (2005). 7 July 2005 London Bombings. 2007. Web.
Hegseth, P. Al Qaeda Crippled by U.S. Strategy. 2007. Web.
Karl, J. (2007). Al Qaeda’s Strength ‘Undiminished’ in Iraq. 2007.
Payne, C. (2007). Understanding Terrorism – Definition of Terrorism. 2007. Web.
Whitlock, C. (2007). Germany Says It Foiled Bomb Plot. 2007. Web.