Asia Society Washington Center Leadership Award Dinner

Secretary Tom Ridge
U.S. Department Of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C., November 18, 2003

Thank you, Leo, for that introduction. I’m honored to be here tonight with the Asia Society Washington Center…an organization that for more than thirty years has helped foster a greater understanding of the many diverse nations that constitute the Asia-Pacific region.

Now, more than ever it’s imperative that we pursue and strengthen our relationship with this vital region…a region that is not only crucial to our nation’s economy, but our security as well.

The Asia-Pacific Region has endured the destruction and death of terrorism.

The tragic events of 9/11 forever changed our nation, and also demonstrate to the world the devastating scope and scale of which terrorists are now capable. For the first time in the history of mankind, a small group of people with weapons of mass destruction can wreak untold havoc on unsuspecting cities and civilians.

Their threats can come packaged in a suitcase or an envelope. They represent no country, no cause, no flag, no people -- yet they have access to a steady supply of technologies, and funds, and willing recruits.

We know all too well from the terrorist attacks in Bali, the Middle East, and Baghdad and other parts of the world…terrorism is not just a threat to America…it is a global enemy that requires a global response.

As Philippine President Gloria Arroyo put it: “The fight against terrorism is our fight, it is the fight of all mankind against evil.”

The battle we wage against the terrorists is not one fought by America alone; it is fought by every nation and every citizen that stands on the side of hope and liberty. And the means to win this war rests in our ability to engage the world community, work together multi-laterally, and foster healthy dialogue and strategic cooperation among our allies.

The U.S., by design and by desire, has been – and will always be – connected to the rest of the world – intellectually, emotionally, ethnically, commercially. The interconnectedness of the world today spans many sectors – military, economic, educational and, yes, even homeland or domestic security. No one country can be truly safe without the cooperation and like-minded commitment from all others.

This type of "interdependence" is a good thing. It helps inspire one another to higher standards. It compels us to be innovative and unified in our approach to security. The terrorists who seek to harm freedom-loving countries and the people who inhabit them want to see a "house divided." They want to cause dissension and distract us from our common goal – which is their defeat.

If we are to be successful against them, a worldwide commitment and worldwide resolve is required. And worldwide, that is what we are seeing. Since the events of September 11th, a counter-terrorism coalition of nearly 70 nations has begun working together in the critical areas of law enforcement, information sharing, transportation security, cyber security and financial asset seizure.

Many nations in the Asia-Pacific region have made integral contributions to the war on terrorism – significantly building and improving their counterterrorism capabilities in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks. And then redoubling those efforts after the Bali bombings in October 2002…the deadliest terrorist strike since 9/11.
In the wake of that devastating attack, several nations including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand worked to quickly track down and bring to justice members of Jemaah Islamiya, an al-Qaeda linked terrorist group believed to be responsible.
It is not surprising that nations of the Asia-Pacific region have answered the call to fight terrorism, for it is a threat that they have faced for many years. From attacks by the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines to the sarin gas attack in the subways of Tokyo, terrorism has been an immutable reality.

The global community must unite to put an end to the reign of terror, to stand up against terrorists’ weapons of fear and destruction.

Terrorists here in our country, and elsewhere must know: No matter what your form or faction – you are civilization’s collective shame. On this issue, the world has come together – and the world is coming after you.

Some call terrorism a nuisance; some call it a fact of life. Let others call it what they will. But let us always speak the truth: Terrorists are not “freedom fighters,” nor “political warriors.”

Freedom fighters do not crash planes into buildings, detonate bombs in dance clubs and tourist buses, or release bioagents in subways. Freedom fighters do not engage noncombatants in battle. Terrorists are not “freedom fighters” they are murderers. Their motivation and methods are merely to kill what they do not understand, or what they resent and hate – the ideals of freedom and democracy, diversity and tolerance, embraced by millions of people around the world.

And, it is no coincidence that the threat to the stability and peace of the world has coincided with the globalization of technology, transportation, commerce and communication. The same benefits enjoyed by freedom-loving people across the world are available to terrorists as well. That means that terrorists themselves have greater mobility, more targets and more places to hide than ever before.

That's why, on September 11th, 2001, they were able to turn passenger airplanes into missiles, with an "army" of fewer than two dozen men, and a budget of roughly a half a million dollars.
So to fight back, we too must exploit our assets. We must investigate and prosecute and confiscate. We must utilize diplomacy, intelligence, law enforcement and asset seizure – a multi-lateral approach to a multinational problem. We must enlist stronger collaboration and cooperation, and improved information-sharing, both within nations and between them. We must use every available tool to repel these shadow soldiers.

St. Thomas Aquinas said three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe, to know what he ought to desire and to know what he ought to do. We knew minutes after the second plane hit the World Trade Center, what we would need to do – that is make the fullest protection of our people the highest charge of our nation.

This vision…and the actions that drive it…offer no guarantees. The sheer depth and breadth of what occurs across America means that one slip, one gap, one vengeful person, can threaten the lives of citizens, at any time, in any number of ways.

We can say that the American people are more secure and better prepared than ever before. Part of our effort and success can be attributed to our partners in the international community. And just as the United States and its allies adjusted priorities and tactics to defeat the enemies of old, we have developed strategies to meet the current and constant threat of terrorism.

From these collective actions, we have learned the value of building strong global partnerships – partnerships that build barriers to terrorists, and build bridges to one another.

Tonight, we honor Dr. Vance Coffman, whose leadership has helped build a strong bridge to the people and businesses and governments of Asia. Dr. Coffman is also a valuable member of our Homeland Security Advisory Council, and I appreciate his efforts and being a part of our work to make America safer.

The federal government looks to the private sector to strengthen global ties and foster a spirit of cooperation within the international business community…a spirit of cooperation that we must and will continue to reflect in our policies and efforts.

Since September 11, our world has changed. America has changed. But much of what is important remains the same. America is still a welcoming nation that opens her borders to citizens from all over the world.

Our promise still rests on a respect for the vast diversity of people and cultures that enrich our lives. Freedom is still the hope of many and terrorism the choice of an embittered few.

For centuries, tyrants and imperialists mistook power as a means to pillage and plunder. People and potentials were squandered at the expense of royal gold and mistaken glory. And, as a result, the history of human folly -- great massacres and human misfortunes -- is written in the textbooks of our time.

But we have learned the lesson of time and events. We have learned that great powers can work together to do great things. Our shared respect for peace, prosperity and the rule of law brings an historic opportunity -- to root out the scourge of terrorism and win through to a day when peace and security are no longer threatened.

So, we will not rest, we will not waiver, we will not relent in the fight against international terrorism, and by working together across all sectors of our own society and across all nations that share a love for liberty…we will triumph.

Again, I want to thank the Asia Society for your kind invitation…it’s been my great pleasure to join you this evening.

Thank you.