[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 43 (Monday, October 29, 2001)]
[Pages 1531-1532]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement on Counterterrorism by the President of the United 
States and the President of Russia, Shanghai

October 21, 2001

    The President of the United States and the President of Russia 
categorically reject and resolutely condemn terrorism in all its forms 
and manifestations, regardless of motive. The Presidents stress that the 
barbaric act of terrorism committed in the United States on September 
11, 2001 represent a crime against all humanity.
    The Presidents note that terrorism threatens not only the security 
of the United States and Russia, but also that of the entire 
international community, as well as international peace and security. 
They believe that terrorism poses a direct threat to the rule of

[[Page 1532]]

law and to human rights and democratic values. It has no foundation in 
any religion, national or cultural traditions, and it only uses them as 
a cover for its criminal goals.
    The Presidents agree that every effort be undertaken to bring the 
perpetrators to justice, while protecting the rights and welfare of 
civilians. They stress that the fight against terrorism requires the 
unity of the entire international community to counter new challenges 
and threats on the basis of international law and the full use of the 
United Nations and other international organizations.
    The Presidents call for all states to join a sustained global 
coalition to defeat international terrorism. Nations must make use of 
diplomatic, political, law enforcement, financial, intelligence, and 
military means to root out terrorists and their sponsors and bring them 
to justice.
    The Presidents emphasize that the current situation in Afghanistan 
is a direct consequence of the policies pursued by the Taliban, which 
turned that country into an international center of terrorism and 
extremism. They reaffirm that the United States and Russia are ready to 
cooperate closely with the United Nations to promote a post-conflict 
settlement in Afghanistan that would provide for the formation of a 
representative, broad-based government capable of ensuring the 
restoration of a peaceful Afghanistan that maintains good relations with 
countries of the region and beyond it.
    The leaders of the two countries view U.S.-Russian cooperation as a 
critical element in the global effort against terrorism. They reaffirm 
their personal commitment and that of their two countries to fight this 
deadly challenge through active cooperation and coordination, both 
bilaterally and within the framework of international institutions.
    The Presidents note with satisfaction the fruitful cooperation 
between the United States and Russia in the United Nations and the UN 
Security Council, in the NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council, and in the 
G-8. They also instruct their governments to reinforce bilateral 
cooperation throughout the U.S.-Russia Working Group on countering 
terrorist and other threats emanating from Afghanistan.
    The Presidents agree that the financial, communications, and 
logistics networks of terrorist organizations must be destroyed. They 
call upon all nations without exception to take measures to block access 
of terrorist organizations to financial resources, to enhance law 
enforcement tools to combat terrorism, and to strengthen procedures to 
stop the transit of terrorists and their material within and between 
countries. They stress the importance of speedy ratification and 
implementation of existing international counterterrorism conventions.
    The two Presidents are resolved to advance cooperation in combating 
new terrorist threats: nuclear, chemical and biological, as well as 
those in cyberspace. They agreed to enhance bilateral and multilateral 
action to stem the export and proliferation of nuclear, chemical and 
biological materials, related technologies, and delivery systems as a 
critical component of the battle to defeat international terrorism.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.