ng Islamic extremists, and the recent seizure of hostages in Moscow, to name only the most notorious developments) have prompted a re-consideration of the factors that threaten state security worldwide.
Terrorists have succeeded in inflicting damaging blows on states whose military might previously gave them an appearance of invulnerability. The counter-strikes against the terrorists can hardly be described as an adequate response. The anti-terrorist campaign launched by the United States and its allies in Afghanistan has done little to reduce tension in the region. Furthermore, there are good grounds to believe that at least some of the ringleaders of al Qaeda and its international network have escaped unscathed. Nor is it likely that the massive “mopping up” campaign the Russians have launched in Chechnya will completely avert the threat of more seizures of hostages in hospitals, theatres and other public premises.
This pessimistic judgement stems from changes in the nature and tactics of modern terrorism. In a recent article specially prepared for Ukrainian media, NATO Secretary General George Robertson outlined the problem. Pointing out that terrorism has gone from being mostly an internal problem for certain countries to the most serious threat to international security, Robertson wrote that a new security doctrine will soon emerge based on development of NATO’s anti-terrorism potential. The implications of Robertson’s message are crystal clear. In facing up to this new challenge, the community of nations committed to the value of human life, individual freedom and the principles of justice has to stand united, acting together rather than relying on their individual potential.
Terror as an instrument for the subversion of state structures has a long history. However, the collapse of the former bipolar international system, globalization processes and rapid technological development have combined to produce some alarming consequences. Huge arsenals of conventional weapons have ended up beyond state control. An active black market in dual-use technologies and weapons of mass destruction has emerged. Meanwhile, subversive and terrorist groups have been able to coordinate and secretly fund their activities through global information and telecommunications networks. The conditions now exist for the appearance of non-state, shadow centers of power. Illegal financial operations, and arms and drugs sales allow resources to be accumulated by illegitimate international organizations, which may pursue purely economic enrichment aims or follow extremist political goals.
There has been much debate among politicians and experts concerning the extent of the terrorist threat faced by Ukraine. Some have claimed optimistically that the relatively calm domestic political situation, and the absence of inter-ethnic and inter-confessional tension means Ukraine is not in serious danger. These arguments are questionable. The current social and economic situation may serve as a breeding ground for radical views. Given access to modern technologies, all that is needed for the dissemination of extremist ideas is investment of time and money.
Ukraine’s role in the international anti-terror coalition has also been widely discussed. Some are proposing that Ukraine step up its contribution to the anti-terror campaign from its current passive role in providing corridors for U.S. and allied aircraft. Others, referring to Ukraine’s traditional neutrality, want to avoid greater involvement. Neither of these proposals corresponds to Ukraine’s national interests. The realities of today’s state budget mean Ukraine is in no position to deploy its military abroad. Only funding from the UN and other international bodies allows Ukraine to station its peacekeepers around the world. However, the opposite attitude of “hiding one’s head in the sand” will prevent Ukraine from responding effectively to the growing number of terrorist challenges. The fight against terrorism should be a priority commitment of Ukraine’s foreign policy.
Ukraine has been dutifully carrying out the tasks arising from the UN Security Council Resolution of Sept. 28, 2001, which committed member states to taking exhaustive measures to combat terror. At the end of last year, on President Leonid Kuchma’s initiative, the government endorsed the national program for implementing the recommendations of the November 2001 Warsaw conference on anti-terrorist policies. The legal and regulatory introduction of the Financial Action Task Force requirements into current banking practice in 2001 has helped block potential funding channels for international terrorist bodies. The anti-terrorist center established at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in December 1998 by presidential decree has stepped up its activity recently. All these measures have received recognition from the international community.
However, there is still not sufficient legal basis for further extending the anti-terror activities of law-enforcement bodies and special services. First, it is necessary for the Rada to approve the bill on preventing legalization of illegal earnings. The parliament should also begin considering the draft law on fighting terrorism submitted by President Leonid Kuchma on Oct. 29. When submitting this draft, the president proposed also to consider a number of amendments to existing laws that would enable the SBU to monitor in detail all financial and economic activities of Ukrainian business entities, as well as to interdict various transactions and commercial contracts.
It is vital for Ukraine to accelerate implementation of these legal initiatives. This would not only improve the country’s international image, it would also enable it to join the international terrorism prevention system. Still, the final drafting of these bills is an extremely complicated task. In granting extraordinary powers to law-enforcement bodies and special services, the parliament has to ensure introduction of an efficient system for civilian control over their activities and prevent such powerful legal instruments being abused by the authorities, a danger that is all too familiar from the Soviet past.
Borys Andresyuk was elected to the Rada on the Social Democratic Party (united) list. He is first deputy chair of the Rada’s National Security and Defense Committee. In the previous parliament, he headed this committee for two years.
