Statement on Signing Legislation To Implement International Terrorism Conventions

Statement on Signing Legislation To Implement International Terrorism
Conventions

June 25, 2002

Earlier today I signed into law the implementing legislation for two
very important United Nations international conventions against
terrorism: the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist
Bombings and the International Convention for the Suppression of the
Financing of Terrorism. I thank the Congress, especially the judiciary
committees, for its hard work in passing this legislation, which will
strengthen our campaign against global terrorism. The Senate gave its
advice and consent to ratification of these Conventions last December.
Now that this legislation has been enacted, the United States will
deposit its instruments of ratification at the United Nations and become
a party to these two Conventions.
These two Conventions strengthen international efforts to defeat
terrorism of global reach. They underscore--along with 10 other
international terrorism conventions--the broad moral consensus that
violence against innocent civilians is a criminal act and must be
punished. These Conventions also require parties to them to take
practical steps to bring terrorists and their supporters to justice. The
Terrorist Bombings Convention creates a new and important mechanism for
nations to cooperate in investigating and prosecuting terrorist crimes.
The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of
Terrorism strengthens our continuing efforts to cut off the flow of
funds to terrorist groups.
In Canada this week, I will be discussing with leaders from other
industrialized nations ways we can ensure that all countries take
stronger legal measures against terrorism. In particular, I urge all
countries to join us in becoming party to these Conventions and fully
adhering to U.N. Security Council Resolutions to stop terrorism,
particularly U.N. Security Council Resolution 1373, which denies safe
haven to terrorists and prohibits terrorist financing, recruitment, and
access to weapons and other support. I will continue to work with other
leaders around the world to build a consensus that terrorism, whatever
the excuse, is unacceptable. Working together, America and the other
freedom-loving nations of the world are moving towards a day when our
children can live free from the fear of terrorism and free to achieve
their dreams.