    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [June 25, 2002]
    [Pages 1064-1065]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Legislation To Implement International Conventions
    Against Terrorism
    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.

    [[Page 1065]]

        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.

    Note: H.R. 3275, approved June 25, was assigned Public Law No. 107-197.