Regional organizations should co-ordinate actions more closely to tackle terrorism, says OSCE anti-terrorism chief

WASHINGTON, 8 October 2009 - Enhanced diplomacy is one of the best "insurance policies" against terrorism in the long run, and regional organizations such as the OSCE should contribute by working together, the Head of the OSCE's Action against Terrorism Unit said today.

Speaking at a conference at the Center on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation, Raphael Perl said reinvigorating diplomacy and international counter-terrorism co-operation was crucial for tackling the key strategic challenges of countering violent extremism and radicalization, restricting the spread of weapons of mass destruction and improving crisis management and recovery.

"I regard enhanced diplomacy as one of our best 'insurance policies' against terrorism in the long run," Perl said. "Diplomacy is prerequisite for effective use of all tools in the counter-terrorism toolkit."

"Regional organizations can be real force multipliers. Several, such as the OSCE, have already proven individually to be very effective. But I believe regional organizations could deliver even more collectively. One way for them to achieve greater impact would be, arguably, to unite into a sort of alliance of regional organizations in combating terrorism," he added.

The conference, entitled "Building Stronger Partnerships to Prevent Terrorism", included participants from governments, the United Nations, regional organizations and think tanks.