[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 21 (Monday, May 27, 2002)]
[Pages 899-900]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V. 
Putin on Counterterrorism Cooperation

May 24, 2002

    Reaffirming our commitment expressed on October 21, 2001 to fight 
terrorism in all its forms wherever it may occur, we commend the efforts 
of the worldwide coalition against terrorism since the tragic events of 
September 11, 2001. The member nations of the coalition must continue 
their concerted action to deny safe haven to terrorists; to destroy 
their financial, logistical, communications, and other operational 
networks; and to bring terrorists to justice. We note with satisfaction 
that U.S.-Russia counterterrorism cooperation is making an important 
contribution to the global coalition against terrorism.
    A successful campaign against terrorism must be conducted by nations 
through bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, and requires 
a multifaceted approach that employs law enforcement, intelligence, 
diplomatic, political, and economic actions. We stress that initiatives 
against terrorism must be conducted in an atmosphere of rule of law and 
with respect for universal human rights.
    Recognizing the importance of multilateral counterterrorism efforts, 
such as those under the auspices of the United Nations, the Group of 
Eight, the European Union, the OSCE, the ``Six Plus Two'' group, and 
NATO-Russia, we encourage the further development of regional 
counterterrorism initiatives, including within the framework of the 
Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its cooperation with the United 
States, that improve information-sharing, law enforcement cooperation, 
and border security. Of these institutions, we note that the UN Security 
Council Counterterrorism Committee plays a key coordinating role in the 
struggle against international terrorism. In support of regional 
cooperation, the United States is sponsoring a counterterrorism 
conference in June 2002 to include participation from the Central Asian 
and Caucasus states, Afghanistan, Turkey, China, and Russia.
    We call upon all nations to implement fully the provisions of UN 
Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 1368, 1373, 1377 and 
1390, directed against terrorism, the Taliban, and al-Qaida, and to 
become parties at the earliest opportunity to the twelve international 
antiterrorism conventions, including the Convention for the Suppression 
of the Financing of Terrorism. The United States supports conclusion of 
the Russian-proposed nuclear terrorism convention, and joins Russia in 
urging other nations to enlist in the efforts to resolve the outstanding 
issues related to the text. We call upon all nations to take steps to 
comply with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations on 
money laundering and terrorist financing. We shall work to block the 
financial assets of named terrorists and their organizations without 
delay.
    We underscore the need to bring to a logical conclusion efforts to 
eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan related to Usama 
Bin Laden, the al-Qaida organization, and the Taliban. Afghanistan 
should never again be a haven for terrorism. Reaffirming our support for 
the important role of the UN in efforts to implement successfully the 
Bonn Agreement, including the upcoming Loya Jirga, we share a vision of 
a stable, independent Afghanistan at peace with its neighbors and the 
rest of the world and on the road to a more prosperous future.
    We recognize the links between illegal drug trafficking and 
terrorism and stress the importance of U.S.-Russia cooperation on 
counternarcotics. Both our countries are dedicated to continuing their 
support for regional initiatives, such as those of the ``Six Plus Two'' 
Working Group on Drugs, to encourage cooperation among member countries 
and to strengthen their counternarcotics capabilities. We both strongly 
support the Afghan Interim Authority's plan to implement its poppy ban.

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    Believing that the sovereignty, long-term stability, prosperity, and 
further democratic development of the states of Central Asia serve the 
strategic interests of the United States and Russia, we pledge 
transparency and cooperation in our relations with the states of Central 
Asia. An important step for ensuring their security is to eradicate 
terrorist activities in Afghanistan once and for all and to assist in 
the prevention of their reoccurrence.
    We reaffirm our commitment to working with the Government of Georgia 
on counterterrorism issues, while upholding Georgian sovereignty, and 
hope that the presence of terrorists in this country will be eliminated. 
As members of the Friends of the UN Secretary-General on Georgia, the 
United States and Russia remain committed to advancing a peaceful, 
political resolution of the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We 
pledge to work closely with all relevant parties to these conflicts to 
reduce military tensions, address civilians' security concerns, and 
foster a lasting political settlement that preserves Georgia's 
territorial integrity and protects the rights of all of those involved 
in the conflicts. We highly appreciate the contribution of the UN 
Security Council, concerned states, and international mechanisms which 
participate in peaceful efforts toward resolution of these conflicts.
    We note with satisfaction the entry into force of the Treaty on 
Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the United States of 
America and the Russian Federation, which will facilitate joint efforts 
on criminal and terrorist cases.
    We will work to strengthen the exchange of professional know-how and 
experience in such areas as transportation security, hostage takeover, 
and airplane hijacking, among others.
    We will work to strengthen national, bilateral, and multilateral 
measures to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, 
related technologies, and delivery means as an essential element of the 
fight against international terrorism and all those who support it.
    An important step in our joint cooperation will be a meeting of our 
scientists in June. We will seek to develop jointly new technology to 
detect nuclear material that can be used to manufacture weapons for 
purposes of terrorism.
    The U.S.-Russia Working Group on Afghanistan has proven a successful 
vehicle for joint efforts between the United States and Russia to 
counter terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Recognizing the increased 
threat of terrorism originating in other regions of the world, we have 
directed that the Working Group's agenda be broadened, and that it be 
renamed the U.S.-Russia Working Group on Counterterrorism. Among other 
issues, this Working Group will address the threats posed by nuclear, 
biological, and chemical terrorism. The next meeting of the Working 
Group will take place in the Washington area in July 2002.

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