Algérie Presse Service (APS) – September 6, 2011

In an interview granted to the Algerian press agency APS (Algérie Presse Service), U.S. State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Mr. Daniel Benjamin, called the Algiers counterterrorism conference convening on September 7 and 8, 2011, “a unique opportunity taking place at a timely juncture.”

“This conference is a unique opportunity taking place at a timely juncture for the states of the region and other partners and organizations, who are meeting to discuss key aspects of the fight against the threat of terrorism, all the while working together to design new and better strategies to combat” this threat, he said.

In this regard, Mr. Benjamin said that “we congratulate Algeria for convening this conference and the United States is happy to take an active part in it.”
To that end, added Mr. Benjamin, “While the U.S. delegation will have the opportunity to discuss some of its views in this regard, the conference is an even better opportunity for our officials to learn from the experiences of other partner countries, and in particular our North African partners.”

Responding to a question about the Libyan crisis and its consequences on the security situation in the Sahel region, considering the uncontrolled flow of weapons, the U.S. official said that the United States “takes seriously all reports about weapons that fall in the hands of terrorists and we do our best to investigate those reports.”

Addressing counterterrorism cooperation between Algeria and the United States, Mr. Benjamin reaffirmed that “Algeria is an essential leader in regional antiterrorist efforts,” adding that “Our bilateral cooperation with the Algerian Government in combating terrorism is now stronger than it has ever been.”

On a question regarding payment of ransoms by some countries to secure the release of hostages abducted by terrorists, the U.S. State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism stressed that “the United States also shares the serious concerns expressed by Algeria regarding the kidnappings against ransom done by terrorists.

The United States “abhors such acts, unequivocally condemns the impunity of hostage takers, and firmly supports the efforts led to put an end to the practice of ransom payment since such payments directly support terrorists, as underlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1904,” said Mr. Benjamin

Consequently, he insisted, the United States “is firmly committed to pursuing discussions on this issue at the international level, including at the United Nations, such as the 1267 Committee of the UN.”