Statement by Mr. Jan Petersen Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway

OSCE Ministerial Meeting

Bucharest, 3-4 December 2001

Mr. Chairman,

To many around this table the ugly face of terrorism was well known even before September 11. But the horrific attacks against the United States made it abundantly clear that we are all potential victims, and that we must stand together if we are to succeed in our fight against international terrorism.

We must fight on many fronts. We must bring the terrorists to justice, we must deprive them of their resources, and we must target the intolerance, despair and hopelessness that terrorists so effectively exploit.

In this battle the OSCE must find its role. We must base ourselves on the values we share, the commitments we have signed and on the achievements we have made.

Tomorrow we will adopt a decision and an action plan for the fight against terrorism. Together they will provide the OSCE with a "roadmap" for its actions, and give the organization a new and clear sense of direction.

Building on its extensive experience, the OSCE can help us strengthen and improve the basic structures of societies, ensure respect for democracy, rule of law and human rights. Societies built on tolerance, inclusiveness and non-discrimination will make it difficult for terrorists to mobilize support.

We must also cut off their financial basis. By fighting criminal networks, money laundering and trafficking in drugs, weapons and human beings, we are denying the terrorists the financial means they are crucially dependent on. To this end, a further strengthening of the OSCE’s police-related activities is essential. Again, tomorrow’s decisions will be an important step forward and provide concrete tools required.

We must firmly reject any attempts by terrorist groups to exploit economic and social injustice and unresolved political conflicts to fuel violent extremism and terrorism.

The OSCE cannot and should not become a donor organization. We cannot build roads or power-plants. But we can and must build awareness where economic and social injustice threaten the security of our countries and citizens. And we must not shy away from making use of the OSCE to bring together those who are aware of the needs and those who can help alleviate them. Sometimes it is not a lack of resources that prevents us from succeeding, but a lack of imagination.

Mr. Chairman,

Terrorism affects us all.

But their geographic proximity to Afghanistan has made the Central Asian countries particularly vulnerable to terrorists and their criminal activities. All countries in this region are exposed to external threats of terrorism, some have directly experienced terrorist acts. They have warned us before – and repeatedly – against the dangers of terrorism. We have heard, but perhaps not listened carefully enough.

The OSCE must now enhance its efforts to support our Central Asian partners through closer dialogue and concrete projects. We must understand each other’s identities. We must respond to their concerns as they have now responded. The foundation for our work must be the commitments we have all undertaken. Norway is ready to contribute.

At next week's meeting in Bishkek, we must take concrete steps that reflect the fact that we face a common challenge, but have specific needs and concerns.

Mr. Chairman,

Within the OSCE a number of "frozen conflicts" remain. As a consequence, large numbers of people suffer. Countries are prevented from moving forward in their development.

It is not enough to say that the parties know what to do and must get on with doing it. Conflicts are frozen because the parties themselves are not able to bridge the gaps. International support and involvement is required. It must be determined and not half-hearted. It must be constant and not sporadic. The international climate has now improved; there is more solidarity among us than before. We must make use of this opportunity to bring "frozen conflicts" to an end.

We support the full implementation of the CFE Treaty, its associated documents and all the commitments undertaken with regard to the CFE Final Act. These are inseparable from issues related to the Treaty’s implementation and the entry into force of the Adapted Treaty. Norway welcomes the Russian withdrawal from Moldova of CFE Treaty Limited Equipment well before the deadline of the Istanbul Summit. And we appreciate the transparency under which this was conducted. The situation in Georgia is more complex. We welcome progress, but emphasize the need for transparency. Such transparency is essential for verification. And verification is essential in leading us towards ratification of the Adapted Treaty.

In South-Eastern Europe a determined progress towards democracy has continued. We applaud and support the authorities in Croatia and Yugoslavia in their efforts. Dangerous conflicts have been defused, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Southern Serbia and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Framework Agreement represents a major breakthrough. Its implementation must now continue steadily and without delays.

In Kosovo successful elections have brought the province a new decisive step towards Kosovar ownership of its administration. But ownership must include all - without discrimination. The Kosovo Albanian leaders must now demonstrate genuine will to respect the rights of their Serb fellow citizens – so that they can share Kosovo’s future in full security. The Serbs must use this opportunity to let their participation be felt in the newly elected Assembly. And the international community must do its utmost to enable the minorities to play their role fully. This must be a time for reconciliation.

For the countries in South-Eastern Europe there is no contradiction between regional cooperation and integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. On the contrary, without progress in regional cooperation, the wider integration process will inevitably slow down.

Mr. Chairman,

We must now communicate to our public that the OSCE has a clear sense of direction. In a new and turbulent environment, we must shape our agenda in a way which reflects a new reality. We must work in a way which is inclusive and where we all share a true ownership of the organization.

We must build on the commitments we have undertaken. But we must also demonstrate that the OSCE has a role to play in facing up to challenges that are different from those of the past.

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