Ambassador Speeches

Closing Remarks by Ambassador Michael D. Kirby

Certificate Presentation Ceremony
U.S. Embassy Basic Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering Course
Stefan cel Mare Police Academy
Ministry of Internal Affairs

September 15, 2006 – 1200 Hours (noon)

Good afternoon and congratulations on completing this important training course.  I would like to begin by thanking the Stefan cel Mare Police Academy for allowing us to use this terrific training venue.  This is my first visit to the Academy, and by the impressive appearance of this facility, it is obvious that the Moldovan police take professional development and training very seriously.

I would also like to thank each of your organizations: the Information and Security Service, the Customs Service, the National Bank, the Ministry of Finance, the Center for Combating Economic Crime and Corruption, the Prosecutor Generals Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.  I am very pleased that you made the commitment to be here this week,  together, and in the same room.  This is the first time that we have invited all of your organizations to participate together, and from what I understand, this week has been a great success.

Your efforts to combat terrorism financing and money laundering will play a significant role in the Global War On Terror.  We believe that there are two strategic goals that are fundamental in this important campaign:

1. The defeat of violent extremism as a threat to our way of life as a free and open society; and
2. The creation of a global environment inhospitable to violent extremists and all who support them.

With the new skills that you have learned here this week, I know that you will be able to assist in achieving these goals.

The United States and our partners continue to pursue a significantly degraded but still dangerous al-Qaida network.  Yet the enemy we face today in the Global War on Terror is not the same enemy we faced on September 11.  Our effective counterterrorist efforts, in part, have forced the terrorists to evolve and modify their ways of doing business.  Our understanding of the enemy has evolved as well.  Today, the principal terrorist enemy we confront is a transnational movement of extremist organizations, networks, and individuals – and their state and non-state supporters – which have in common that they exploit Islam and use terrorism for ideological ends.

We have many challenges in front of us – challenges that we must work together to address.  Let me note some of them:

• Terrorist networks today are more dispersed and less centralized. They are more reliant on smaller cells inspired by a common ideology and less directed by a central command structure.
• While the international community has thwarted many attacks, we have not been able to prevent them all. Terrorists have struck in many places throughout the world, from Bali to Beslan to Baghdad.
• Terrorists have declared their intention to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to inflict even more catastrophic attacks against innocent people around the world.
• Some states, such as Syria and Iran, continue to harbor terrorists at home and sponsor terrorist activity abroad.
• The ongoing fight for freedom in Iraq has been twisted by terrorist propaganda as a rallying cry.
• Increasingly sophisticated use of the Internet and media has enabled our terrorist enemies to communicate, recruit, train, rally support, proselytize, and spread their propaganda without risking personal contact.

Based on this week’s success, and the determination that you have exhibited by being here, I am confident that you will do everything in your power to meet these challenges head-on. 

We believe that such a war must be fought by utilizing all available resources.  We have come to understand that our effort against terrorists is stronger when we have good interagency collaboration.  In this light, I look forward to hearing about your organizations working together – as you have this week – in your fight against the terrorists and criminals.

I would like to thank David, Edward and Leanne for traveling to Chisinau to teach this important course.  ((Directed towards instructors)): You continue to do a tremendous service to your country and are making a true impact on the Global War On Terror.  On behalf of the entire Embassy community, we are very proud of your dedication to this cause.

I know that some of you will have questions after David, Edward and Leanne have departed Moldova.  I would like to urge you to contact the Embassy with such questions.  The U.S. Government remains committed to assisting the Republic of Moldova in its fight against terrorism financing and money laundering and we will do everything we can to assist.

Thank you for your time and once again, congratulations on completing this training course.