Cablegate: United Kingdom: 2001 Annual Terrrorism Report

R 211623Z DEC 01
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5156

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 LONDON 007384

S/CT FOR REAP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER UK
SUBJECT: UNITED KINGDOM: 2001 ANNUAL TERRRORISM REPORT

REF: STATE 198912

1. POST HAS KEYED ITS RESPONSES TO REFTEL PARAGRAPHS.

A) DESCRIBE SIGNIFICANT ACTIONS TAKEN TO SUPPORT THE
ANTI-TERRORISM COALITION, PARTICULARLY IN ACTIONS TAKEN
AGAINST AL-QAEDA AND THE TALIBAN.

THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS AN EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG RECORD OF
ACTIONS TO COUNTER THE TERRORIST THREAT POSED BY AL-QAEDA AND
THE TALIBAN. HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY
TO THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11 BY WORKING WITH THE U.S. TO
BUILD THE GLOBAL ANTI-TERRORISM COALITION. IT JOINED THE
U.S. IN VOTING IN THE UNSC IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR SANCTIONS TO
BE IMPOSED ON THE TALIBAN. THE UK ALSO STRONGLY SUPPORTED
NATO'S INVOKING OF ARTICLE 5, THE MUTUAL DEFENSE CLAUSE, OF
THE NATO TREATY AS WELL AS UNSC RESOLUTION 1133. PRIME
MINISTER BLAIR USED EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO CONVINCE GOVERNMENTS
TO JOIN THE COALITION AND, BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 19 AND DECEMBER
13, VISITED CLOSE TO 20 COUNTRIES, AND HOSTED NUMEROUS
LEADERS IN LONDON, TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE WAR AGAINST
TERRORISM.

THE MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS OF HMG HAVE GIVEN UNQUALIFIED
SUPPORT TO ACTION TAKEN AGAINST AL-QAEDA AND THE TALIBAN.

UK LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ORGANIZATIONS RESPONDED
IMMEDIATELY TO SEPTEMBER 11 TO ESTABLISH A CENTRAL POINT OF
CONTACT TO ENSURE SEAMLESS COOPERATION BETWEEN NUMEROUS UK
AND U.S. INVESTIGATORY EFFORTS IN CONNECTION WITH AL-QAEDA
AND THE TALIBAN.

THE GOVERNMENT GRANTED BLANKET OVERFLIGHT CLEARANCE FOR U.S.
AIRCRAFT AND PROVIDED CRITICAL AIR, NAVAL AND GROUND ASSETS
AND FACILITIES IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. IT
HAS ALSO PLAYED THE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN ORGANIZING THE
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN.

THE UK TREASURY HAD BEGUN TO FREEZE TERRORISTS' ASSETS PRIOR
TO SEPTEMBER 11 AND RESPONDED QUICKLY AND POSITIVELY TO U.S.
REQUESTS RELATED TO E.O. 13224 TO FREEZE TALIBAN AND AL-QAEDA
FINANCES. TO DATE, HMG HAS FROZEN $100 MILLION IN TERRORIST
ASSETS.

THE GOVERNMENT PASSED NEW ANTI-TERRORISM LEGISLATION IN
MID-DECEMBER THAT BOLSTERS BRITAIN'S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH
TERRORIST THREATS AND NETWORKS.

B) IF POSSIBLE, PROVIDE WELL DOCUMENTED AND UNCLASSIFIED CASE
STUDIES OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS THWARTED, OR TERRORIST CELLS
BROKEN UP DURING 2001.

UK LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE IN EFFORTS TO
DISRUPT TERRORIST ACTIVITY. TEN INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN
DETAINED BY UK LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE
LINKS TO TERRORISM.

ON JULY 3, UK LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARRESTED ABU DOHA, AN
ALGERIAN, ON A PROVISIONAL ARREST WARRANT OBTAINED AS A
RESULT OF DOHA'S BEING INDICTED IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF
NEW YORK, ON TERRORISM CHARGES RELATED TO HIS INVOLVEMENT IN
THE DECEMBER 1999 PLOT TO COMMIT A TERRORIST ATTACK IN THE
UNITED STATES. DOHA IS KNOWN TO HAVE TIES TO USAMA BIN
LADEN, AL-QAEDA AND ALGERIAN EXTREMISTS.

ON SEPTEMBER 25, UK LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES DETAINED THREE
ALGERIANS, KAMEL DAOUDI, MOHAMED MEHDI MESLI, AND BAGHDAD
MEZIANE, IN CONNECTION WITH A TERRORISM INVESTIGATION.
DAOUDI WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DEPORTED TO FRANCE. MESLI AND
MEZIANE HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE UK WITH CRIMINAL OFFENSES
UNDER THE UK POLICE AND CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT (PACE).

ON OCTOBER 29, UK LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS CHARGED YASSER
AL-SIRRI WITH CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER (UNDER THE PACE)
AND INVITING SUPPORT FOR A PROSCRIBED ORGANIZATION (UNDER THE
TERRORISM ACT OF 2000). THE CHARGES STEM FROM AL-SIRRI'S
ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN THE ASSASSINATION OF AFGHAN NORTHERN
ALLIANCE LEADER AHMAD SHAH MASSOUD ON SEPTEMBER 9.

UK SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO
INTERVENED TO THWART NUMEROUS TERRORIST ATTACKS BY REPUBLICAN
AND LOYALIST DISSIDENT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN NORTHERN
IRELAND WHICH HAVE REFUSED TO JOIN THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE
PROCESS AND CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED IN TERRORISM. THE
GOVERNMENT MOVED DECISIVELY TO DISRUPT THE ACTIVITIES OF
THESE GROUPS. A FORMAL REQUEST FROM THE BRITISH AND IRISH
GOVERNMENTS RESULTED IN THE U.S.G. DESIGNATING THE REAL IRA
AS A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT
"SPECIFIED" TWO LOYALIST PARAMILITARIES.

C) DESCRIBE JUDICIAL SYSTEM REACTION TO ACTS OF INTERNATIONAL
TERRORISM AND/OR SIGNIFICANT ACTS OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM
DURING 2001, INCLUDING ANY PROSECUTIONS RELATING TO
TERRORISM, TO INCLUDE ACTIONS RELATED TO ACTS OF TERRORISM
AGAINST OR AFFECTING U.S. CITIZENS OR FACILITIES.

A CLOSELY COORDINATED U.S.-UK EFFORT TO BRING TO JUSTICE TWO
LIBYANS CHARGED WITH THE 1988 PAN AM 103 LOCKERBIE BOMBING
RESULTED IN A TRIAL IN A SCOTTISH COURT SITTING IN THE
NETHERLANDS. THE TRIAL CONCLUDED WITH ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS
FOUND GUILTY. AN APPEAL IS IN PROGRESS.

UK LEGAL PROCEEDINGS CONTINUE AGAINST TWELVE INDIVIDUALS
CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE HIJACKING TO THE UK OF AN
AFGHAN ARIANA AIRLINER IN FEBRUARY 2000. CHARGES INCLUDE
HIJACKING, FALSE IMPRISONMENT, POSSESSION OF A FIREARM WITH
INTENT TO CAUSE FEAR OF VIOLENCE, AND POSSESSION OF
EXPLOSIVES.

HMG CONTINUED ITS INVESTIGATIONS OF TERRORIST MURDERS
RELATING TO THE TROUBLES IN NORTHERN IRELAND. KEY CASES
INCLUDE THE 1998 BOMBING IN OMAGH, LINKED TO THE REAL IRA,
WHICH KILLED 29 PERSONS; THE 1999 MURDER OF DEFENSE LAWYER
ROSEMARY NELSON; AND THE MURDERS OF PAT FINUCANE AND ROBERT
HAMILL. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO APPEAL FOR
WITNESSES TO COME FORWARD WITH EVIDENCE THAT COULD BE USED IN
COURT TO PROSECUTE SUSPECTS.

THE UK GOVERNMENT ALSO PRESSES OTHER GOVERNMENTS TO PROSECUTE
SUSPECTED TERRORISTS. IT CONTINUES TO PURSUE THE CASES OF
BRITISH AND AMERICAN CITIZENS MURDERED IN YEMEN IN 1998 AND
THE MURDER OF BRITISH CITIZENS IN UGANDA IN 1999. IT IS
WORKING WITH GREEK OFFICIALS TO BRING TO JUSTICE THOSE
AFFILIATED WITH NOVEMBER 17, THE ORGANIZATION THAT HAS
CLAIMED CREDIT FOR THE JUNE 2000 TERRORIST MURDER OF UK
MILITARY ATTACHE BRIGADIER SAUNDERS. BRITISH OFFICIALS ARE
WORKING WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF YEMEN TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE
THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OCTOBER 2000 ATTACK ON THE BRITISH
EMBASSY THERE, AS WELL AS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SAUDI ARABIA
RELATIVE TO THE ATTACKS AND MURDER OF BRITISH CITIZENS IN
THAT COUNTRY.

D) DID THE UK EXTRADITE OR REQUEST THE EXTRADITION OF
SUSPECTED TERRORISTS FOR PROSECUTION DURING THE YEAR? HOW
DID THE UK RESPOND TO U.S. REQUESTS FOR EXTRADITION OR
ASSISTANCE IN TERRORIST CASES?

EXTRADITION BETWEEN THE U.S. AND THE UK IS GOVERNED BY A
BILATERAL EXTRADITION TREATY WHICH ENTERED INTO FORCE ON
JANUARY 21, 1977, AND BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY TREATY, WHICH
ENTERED INTO FORCE ON DECEMBER 23, 1986. THE UK IS CURRENTLY
ASSISTING IN U.S. EXTRADITION REQUESTS OF FOUR INDIVIDUALS
CURRENTLY DETAINED IN THE UK AND CHARGED BY THE U.S. IN
CONNECTION WITH TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE U.S. OR AGAINST U.S.
CITIZENS.

KHALID AL FAWWAZ, ADEL MOHAMMED, ABOUL ALMAGID ABDUL BARY,
AND IBRAHIM HUSSEIN ABDELHADI EIDAROUS ARE WANTED IN THE
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE
BOMBING OF THE U.S. EMBASSIES IN EAST AFRICA. ON DECEMBER
17, THE HOUSE OF LORDS REJECTED THEIR APPEAL, BUT, UNDER UK
LAW, THE DEFENDANTS HAVE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO APPEAL.
ABU DOHA, AN ALGERIAN NATIONAL, WAS ARRESTED IN LONDON ON
JULY 3, 2001 BASED ON A PROVISIONAL ARREST REQUEST SUBMITTED
BY THE U.S. RELATING TO HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN THE
MILLENNIUM BOMBING CASE. HE IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED
AWAITING EXTRADITION.

E) DESCRIBE, IF ANY, SIGNIFICANT IMPEDIMENTS TO PROSECUTION
AND/OR EXTRADITION OF SUSPECTED TERRORISTS.

IT IS THE POLICY TO THE UK GOVERNMENT TO PROSECUTE AND/OR
EXTRADITE SUSPECTED TERRORISTS. THE GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTS
THIS POLICY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF UK LAW, THE EUROPEAN
CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, THE 1951 CONVENTION ON REFUGEES,
AND UK ASYLUM LAWS. SATISFYING THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS CAN BE
TIME-CONSUMING. ONE HURDLE IS THAT THE UK LAW REQUIRES PRIMA
FACIE EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF AN EXTRADITION REQUEST. THE
1986 BILATERAL U.S.-UK SUPPLEMENTAL EXTRADITION TREATY
IMPOSES ADDITIONAL BURDENS ON EXTRADITION FOR VIOLENT
OFFENSES. ARTICLE 3(A) PROVIDES THAT THE FUGITIVE MAY DEFEAT
EXTRADITION IF HE PROVES TO THE COURT, BY A PREPONDERANCE OF
THE EVIDENCE, THAT HIS EXTRADITION IS SOUGHT IN ORDER TO
PUNISH HIM ON ACCOUNT OF HIS RACE, RELIGION, NATIONALITY OR
POLITICAL OPINION, OR THAT IF SURRENDERED, HE WOULD BE
PREJUDICED AT HIS TRIAL OR PUNISHED, DETAINED, OR RESTRICTED
IN HIS PERSONAL LIBERTY ON ACCOUNT OF THOSE SAME REASONS.
ARTICLE 3(B) ALSO AUTHORIZES APPEAL FROM THE COURT'S FINDING,
A SIGNIFICANT DEPARTURE FROM GENERAL U.S. EXTRADITION
PRACTICE AND A PROVISION THAT INCREASES THE TIME REQUIRED FOR
SUCCESSFUL EXTRADITION.

UK LAW DOES NOT ALLOW FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BE EXTRADITED IF
THEY WOULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY AS A RESULT OF THE ENSUING
PROSECUTION. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN WILLING TO
EXTRADITE INDIVIDUALS IF IT RECEIVES ASSURANCES THAT THE
DEATH PENALTY WOULD BE WAIVED IN THE PARTICULAR CASE.

THE HOME SECRETARY HAS GIVEN PRIORITY TO REVISING THE UK'S
LAW GOVERNING EXTRADITION IN ORDER TO STREAMLINE THE
EXTRADITION PROCESS. IN ORDER FOR THE U.S. TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THE NEW LEGISLATION, IT WILL HAVE TO NEGOTIATE A NEW
BILATERAL EXTRADITION TREATY WITH THE UK. BILATERAL
DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEGUN TOWARD THIS END.

F) DISCUSS BRITISH RESPONSES, OTHER THAN PROSECUTION, TO
INCLUDE PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OR OFFICIAL
NEWS AGENCIES FOLLOWING A TERRORIST INCIDENT (IN OR OUTSIDE
THE COUNTRY) AND EFFORTS BY HOST GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE
TERRORIST INCIDENTS OR TO ASSIST WITH INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
INVESTIGATIONS.

FOLLOWING THE SEPTEMBER 11 TERRORIST ATTACKS, HMG IMMEDIATELY
LAUNCHED A SUSTAINED PUBLIC AFFAIRS EFFORT TO HIGHLIGHT THE
GLOBAL NATURE OF THE THREAT POSED BY THE AL-QAEDA NETWORK, TO
EMPHASIZE THE UK'S CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S., AND TO
DEMONSTRATE THE UK'S COMMITMENT TO THE COALITION EFFORT IN
AFGHANISTAN. NOTABLE PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY PRIME MINISTER
BLAIR INCLUDED HIS OCTOBER 2 SPEECH TO THE LABOR PARTY
CONFERENCE, HIS NOVEMBER 14 STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT, AND
DURING HIS DECEMBER 11 JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH SECRETARY
POWELL IN LONDON. FOREIGN SECRETARY STRAW, HOME SECRETARY
BLUNKETT AND OTHER SENIOR BRITISH OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO MADE
FREQUENT SUPPORTIVE STATEMENTS.

HMG ALSO MOVED QUICKLY TO ESTABLISH WITH THE U.S. JOINT
COALITION INFORMATION CENTERS (CICS) IN LONDON, WASHINGTON
AND ISLAMABAD AS PART OF A COORDINATED EFFORT TO BUILD
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST AL-QAEDA AND
THE LARGER WAR AGAINST TERRORISM. U.S., BRITISH, AND OTHER
COALITION OFFICIALS WORK TOGETHER IN THE CENTERS.

THE UK ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNS IN INTERNATIONAL FORA, INCLUDING
THE EU, G8 AND UN, FOR COORDINATED GLOBAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT
THE TERRORIST THREAT.

THE UK PRESSES GOVERNMENTS TO RESPOND AGGRESSIVELY TO
TERRORIST INCIDENTS AND THREATS. HMG CONSULTS WITH AND
PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE PREPARED TO
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES TO FIGHT TERRORISM.

G) DESCRIBE MAJOR COUNTER-TERRORISM EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN IN
2001 BY THE UK, INCLUDING STEPS TAKEN IN INTERNATIONAL FORA.

CONSISTENT WITH THE UK'S TERRORISM BILL OF 2000, WHICH
WIDENED THE DEFINITION OF TERRORISM TO INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL
AS WELL AS DOMESTIC ACTIONS, THE GOVERNMENT ADDED 22
INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS TO ITS LIST OF
"PROSCRIBED" ORGANIZATIONS IN FEBRUARY 2001. THE LIST
INCLUDES AL-QAEDA. IT IS A CRIME TO BE A MEMBER OF OR TO
SUPPORT AN ORGANIZATION ON THE PROSCRIBED LIST.

PARTLY IN RESPONSE TO EVIDENCE THAT SOME OF THE TERRORISTS
CONNECTED TO THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS HAD LIVED IN OR HAD
CONNECTIONS TO THE UK, HMG INTRODUCED NEW LEGISLATION IN
ORDER TO EXPAND FURTHER ITS AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH TERRORIST
THREATS, AND ON DECEMBER 14 THE ANTI-TERRORISM, CRIME AND
SECURITY BILL BECAME LAW.

THE LAW GAVE THE GOVERNMENT THE POWER TO DETAIN INDEFINITELY
WITHOUT TRIAL FOREIGN NATIONALS SUSPECTED OF TERRORISM WHO
CANNOT BE DEPORTED BECAUSE OF RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE
HUMAN RIGHTS ACT. IT GIVES POLICE AND SECURITY SERVICES,
INCLUDING FOREIGN AGENCIES, THE POWER TO ASK PUBLIC BODIES,
INCLUDING HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND TAX AUTHORITIES, TO DISCLOSE
INFORMATION RELATING TO TERRORISM. IT ALLOWS FOR ASSETS OF
SUSPECTED TERRORISTS TO BE FROZEN AT THE START OF AN
INVESTIGATION RATHER THAN AFTER A SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION. IT
CRIMINALIZES THE AIDING OR ABETTING THE OVERSEAS USE OR
DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICAL, NUCLEAR OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS. AND
IT REQUIRES TRANSPORT CARRIERS TO SUPPLY INFORMATION ABOUT
PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND
REQUIRES FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO REPORT CASES WHERE THEY
THINK THERE ARE REASONABLE GROUNDS TO SUSPECT TERRORIST
FINANCING. THE ACT ALSO GIVES BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE AND
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE POLICE EXPANDED POWERS AND AUTHORITY TO
DEAL WITH MATTERS CONNECTED TO TERRORISM OUTSIDE THEIR FORMER
JURISDICTION.

THE UK HAS ENCOURAGED COORDINATION WITHIN THE EU ON
COUNTER-TERRORISM INITIATIVES. THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS EU
ADOPTION OF A LEGAL FRAMEWORK BY WHICH ALL MEMBER STATES ARE
ABLE TO FREEZE THE ASSETS OF TERRORIST STATES, INDIVIDUALS
AND ENTITIES AND WHICH IS THE BASIS FOR AN AGREED LIST OF
INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS. THE NEW UK TERRORISM
LEGISLATION PROVIDES THAT THE ANTICIPATED EU JUDICIAL AND
POLICE LAW WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO UK LAW ON AN EXPEDITED
BASIS.

THE BRITISH JOINED THE IRISH GOVERNMENT IN REQUESTING THAT
THE U.S. ADD THE REAL IRA, WHICH HAS CLAIMED CREDIT FOR A
NUMBER OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE UK OVER THE PAST SEVERAL
YEARS AND WHICH IS LINKED TO THE 1998 OMAGH BOMBING WHICH
KILLED 29 PEOPLE, TO THE U.S. LIST OF FOREIGN TERRORIST
ORGANIZATIONS.

H) DESCRIBE ANY SIGNIFICANT UK SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL
TERRORISM, TERRORISTS, OR TERRORIST GROUPS.
HMG HAS NOT PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM,
TERRORISTS, OR TERRORIST GROUPS. HMG CONSISTENTLY AND
STRONGLY CONDEMNS ALL ACTS OF OR SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM.

I) HAS HMG MADE ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF A
TERRORIST-SUPPORTING COUNTRY ON A TERRORISM ISSUE? (THE
SEVEN GOVERNMENTS DESIGNATED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AS
SPONSORS OF TERRORISM ARE CUBA, IRAN, IRAQ, LIBYA, NORTH
KOREA, SYRIA, AND SUDAN.)

HMG HAS NOT MADE ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF A
TERRORIST-SUPPORTING COUNTRY ON A TERRORIST ISSUE, AND
CONSISTENTLY AND STRONGLY CONDEMNS ALL ACTS OF OR SUPPORT FOR
TERRORISM.

J) DESCRIBE ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE 2001, POSITIVE OR
NEGATIVE, IN THE UK'S ATTITUDE TOWARD TERRORISM,
INTERNATIONAL OR DOMESTIC. WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS
CHANGE?

THE UK HAS MAINTAINED ITS CONSISTENTLY STRONG STAND AGAINST
ALL FORMS OF DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM THROUGHOUT
2001. THE TERRORISM BILL OF 2000, WHICH WIDENED THE
DEFINITION OF TERRORISM TO INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL AS WELL AS
DOMESTIC ACTIONS, SENSITIZED BRITISH ATTITUDES TO THE
VULNERABILITY OF BRITAIN TO THE INTERNATIONAL THREAT.
POST-SEPTEMBER 11, THE UK HAS FURTHER STIFFENED ITS RESOLVE
AND PASSED NEW LEGISLATION TO COMBAT TERRORISM.

K) DESCRIBE U.S. COUNTER-TERRORISM EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES
WITH THE UK, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REQUESTS TO THE
UK FOR SPECIFIC COOPERATION AND EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES
IN THE UK TO ELIMINATE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO
TERRORIST GROUPS DIRECTLY OR IN SUPPORT OF THEIR ACTIVITIES.
DESCRIBE THE EXTENT OF THE UK'S COOPERATION WITH THOSE
EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE UK
HAS SATISFIED THE SPECIFIC REQUESTS.

HMG COOPERATES CLOSELY WITH THE U.S. AT ALL LEVELS ON
COUNTERTERRORISM POLICY AND OPERATIONS, BOTH BILATERALLY AND
THROUGH INTERNATIONAL FORA, INCLUDING THE G8 AND THE UN.
THIS COOPERATION INCLUDES REGULAR INTENSIVE BILATERAL
CONSULTATIONS ON POLICY AND OPERATIONAL ISSUES.

THIS COOPERATION EXTENDS TO THE CAMPAIGN TO FREEZE THE ASSETS
OF AL-QAEDA-RELATED AND OTHER TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS. THE
TERRORISM ACT OF 2000 MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO RAISE FUNDS OR
PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT THE
GOVERNMENT HAS PROSCRIBED AS INTERNATIONAL OR DOMESTIC
TERRORIST ENTITIES. IN ADDITION, HMG ACTED QUICKLY TO FREEZE
ASSETS OF ALL BUT TWO OF THE TERRORIST
ORGANIZATIONS/INDIVIDUALS ON THE LISTS DEVELOPED BY THE
UNITED STATES AT THE SAME TIME THE U.S. TOOK ACTION. IT HAS
REQUESTED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON TWO GROUPS ON A
PARTICULAR LIST IN ORDER TO ENSURE THERE IS A BASIS FOR HMG
FREEZING THEIR ASSETS.

L) PROVIDE INFORMATION ON:

--(I) THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE UK IN 2001 COOPERATED OR IS
COOPERATING WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IN
APPREHENDING, CONVICTING, AND PUNISHING THE INDIVIDUAL OR
INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACT OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.

UK AGENCIES PROVIDE U.S. LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH INVALUABLE
SUPPORT IN ITS EFFORTS TO LOCATE AND APPREHEND INDIVIDUALS
RESPONSIBLE FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST OR WHO REPRESENT
THREATS TO U.S. CITIZENS OR INTERESTS. THIS SUPPORT INCLUDES
THE PROVISIONAL ARREST OF INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH CRIMES
UNDER U.S. LAW AND THE WILLINGNESS TO DEPORT INDIVIDUALS FOR
PROSECUTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

--(II) THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE UK IN 2001 COOPERATED OR IS
COOPERATING IN PREVENTING FURTHER ACTS OF TERRORISM AGAINST
UNITED STATES CITIZENS IN BRITISH TERRITORY.

THE USG AND HMG SHARE INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE TERRORIST
THREATS AND EVIDENCE RELATING TO INCIDENTS. THERE ARE ALSO
REGULAR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS, JOINT TRAINING PROGRAMS AND
EXERCISES WHICH FURTHER STRENGTHEN JOINT READINESS.

BRITISH OFFICIALS RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE
SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS TO INCREASE SECURITY FOR U.S. DIPLOMATIC
AND MILITARY FACILITIES IN THE UK. THE LONDON METROPOLITAN
POLICE HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE EMBASSY'S REGIONAL
SECURITY OFFICER (RSO) TO ENHANCE SECURITY FOR BOTH OFFICIAL
AND UNOFFICIAL AMERICANS. EXTENSIVE SECURITY UPGRADES
(ANTI-RAM BARRIERS, FENCING, INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE) TO
THE EMBASSY AND CONSULATES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED WITH THE
STRONG SUPPORT OF THE POLICE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
OFFICE, AND CITY COUNCILS. THE UK NATIONAL TERRORIST CRIME
PREVENTION UNIT HAS CONDUCTED NUMEROUS SECURITY BRIEFINGS FOR
U.S. COMPANIES OPERATING THROUGHOUT THE UK.

THE UK DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE
REGIONS RESPONDED TO SEPTEMBER 11 BY IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENTING
ROBUST, HEIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES AT ALL UK AIRPORTS AND
TRANSPORT FACILITIES. IT ALSO ACTED QUICKLY TO MEET ALL FAA
REQUESTS FOR EXTRA SECURITY MEASURES ON U.S. AND FOREIGN
CARRIER FLIGHTS DEPARTING FOR THE U.S.

M) IF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS SOUGHT COOPERATION
DURING THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS IN THE PREVENTION OF AN ACT OF
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AGAINST U.S. CITIZENS OR INTERESTS,
DESCRIBE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE UK IN 2001 COOPERATED OR IS
COOPERATING IN PREVENTING ACTS OF TERRORISM AGAINST UNITED
STATED CITIZENS IN BRITISH TERRITORY.

UK LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY SERVICES WORK CLOSELY WITH
U.S. OFFICIALS TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT PROACTIVE STEPS TO
PREVENT TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. WHEN INVESTIGATIONS BY U.S.
AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED LINKS BETWEEN
INDIVIDUALS/ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UK AND INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED,
WANTED, OR SUSPECTED OF INVOLVEMENT IN TERRORIST ATTACKS
AGAINST U.S. INTERESTS OR CITIZENS, THE UK GOVERNMENT HAS
COOPERATED FULLY. THIS EFFORT INCLUDED INDIVIDUALS WITH
CONNECTIONS TO THE BOMBINGS OF THE U.S. EMBASSIES IN KENYA
AND TANZANIA, THE DECEMBER 1999 PLOT TO COMMIT A TERRORIST
ATTACK AGAINST LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THE ATTACK
ON THE USS COLE, AND THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS ON NEW YORK AND
WASHINGTON DC.

FARISH

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