[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
[October 21, 2001]
[Pages 1277-1278]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



APEC Leaders Statement on Counter-Terrorism
October 21, 2001

    1. Leaders unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms the 
terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, and 
express their deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of a large 
number of nationalities and their families and to the people and 
Government of the United States of America.
    2. Leaders consider the murderous deeds as well as other terrorist 
acts in all forms and manifestations, committed wherever, whenever and 
by whomsoever as a profound threat to the peace, prosperity and security 
of all people, of all faiths, of all nations. Terrorism is also a direct 
challenge to APEC's vision of free, open and prosperous economies, and 
to the fundamental values that APEC members hold.
    3. Leaders reaffirm that it is more important than ever for every 
economy to forge ahead in its commitment in achieving Bogor's goal of 
free, open trade and investment.
    4. Leaders deem it imperative to strengthen international 
cooperation at all levels in combating terrorism in a comprehensive 
manner and affirm that UN should play a major role in this regard, 
especially taking into account the importance of all relevant UN 
resolutions.
    5. Leaders commit to prevent and suppress all forms of terrorist 
acts in the future in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations 
and other international law, pledge to implement the UN Security Council 
Resolution 1368 and 1373 faithfully and immediately, strongly support 
all efforts to strengthen the international anti-terrorism regime, call 
for increased cooperation to bring perpetrators to justice, and also 
call for early signing and ratification of all basic universal anti-
terrorist conventions including the International Convention for the 
Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.
    6. Leaders are determined to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation 
in line with specific circumstances in their respective economies, 
through:

     Appropriate financial measures to prevent the flow of funds 
            to terrorists, including accelerating work on combating 
            financial crimes through APEC Finance Ministers' working 
            Group on Fighting Financial Crime and increasing involvement 
            in related international standard-setting bodies;
     Adherence by all economies to relevant international 
            requirements for the security of air and maritime 
            transportation. Leaders call on Transport Ministers to 
            actively take part in the discussions on enhancing airport, 
            aircraft, and port security, achieve effective outcomes as 
            early as possible, and assure full implementation and 
            cooperation in this regard;
     Strengthening of energy security in the region through the 
            mechanism of the APEC Energy Security Initiative, which 
            examines measures to respond to temporary supply disruptions 
            and longer- term challenges facing the region's energy 
            supply;
     Strengthening of APEC activities in the area of critical 
            sector protection, including telecommunications, 
            transportation, health and energy.

[[Page 1278]]

     Enhancement of customs communication networks and 
            expeditious development of a global integrated electronic 
            customs network, which would allow customs authorities to 
            better enforce laws while minimizing the impact on the flow 
            of trade.
     Cooperation to develop electronic movement records systems 
            that will enhance border security while ensuring movement of 
            legitimate travelers is not disrupted.
     Strengthening capacity building and economic and technical 
            cooperation to enable member economies to put into place and 
            enforce effective counter-terrorism measures.
     Cooperation to limit the economic fallout from the attacks 
            and move to restore economic confidence in the region 
            through policies and measures to increase economic growth as 
            well as ensure stable environment for trade, investment, 
            travel and tourism.

    7. Leaders also pledge to cooperate fully to ensure that 
international terrorism does not disrupt economies and markets, through 
close communication and cooperation among economic policy and financial 
authorities.

Note: The joint statement was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary but was not issued as a White House press release. An original 
was not available for verification of the content of this joint 
statement.