The Hindu : International : Counter terrorism meet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 18, 2007
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International

International

Counter terrorism meet

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will host a three-day international conference on “Countering Terrorism” from Thursday to enable various countries exchange experiences in tackling the challenge posed by terrorism.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogallagama told a news conference here on Wednesday that the theme of the conference is “Terrorism: A Challenge to Democratically Elected Governments.” Gerard Chaliand, former director of the European Centre for the Study of Conflicts, would be the principal speaker at the inaugural session focusing on the threat posed by international terrorist networks.

The Minister said the need to compare experiences and hold discussions on strategies prompted the decision to hold the conference.

Friday’s sessions will be on international and regional response and domestic dimensions to terrorism, combating terrorist financing. Renowned French investigating magistrate in charge of counter-terrorism affairs Jean Louis Bruguiere would be the Guest of Honour. Judge Bruguiere is investigating the LTTE fundraising activities in France and was invited by the U.S. in recent years to assist in the investigations into the 9/11 attacks.

The conference is an initiative of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, a body affiliated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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