One Year Later:
State Department
Counterterrorism
With Ann Korky
Deputy Coordinator, Counterterrorism Office
Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. ET

How much of a role has counterterrorism played in the year since the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon? The State Department's Counterterrorism Office is the "lead federal agency dealing with international terrorism," and responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing U.S. counterterrorism policy.

Ann Korky, deputy coordinator for Counterterrorism, was online Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. ET, to discuss international counterterrorism efforts.

The transcript follows.

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Ann Korky: Good morning. I'm happy to be with you to discuss the US government's efforts in the war on terrorism. I am part of the State Department's Counterterrorism Office, which plays a key role in building the will and capacity of other nations in the campaign that was launched this time last year.

Washington, D.C.: Did your office exist before 9/11/01? If so, has your main focus, mandate or methodology changed at all in the last year?

Ann Korky: My office has existed for over 20 years when Congress legislated its creation. Obviously over the past year the pace of our work has intensified. We are working with far more countries and far more fronts to mobilize their efforts to counter a threat that meances all of us.

One particular focus has been implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1373, which makes it mandatory for all countries to deny sanctuary and funding to terrorists.

Annandale, Va.: What does it mean to say that the Department of State is the "lead federal agency dealing with international terrorism?" Does State have the authority to direct the deployment of, e.g., intelligence and military assets?

Ann Korky: State has the lead in some aspects of the war on terrorism--in the UN and other international organizations and in bilateral discussions with other governments. But we work closely with all agencies, under the President's direction, to ensure that we are using all the resources of the US government to win this war.

Arlington, Va.: How exactly do you counterract terrorism? What resources do you use? Do you have other federal agencies at your disposal?

Ann Korky: The key for us is to build will and capacity in other countries. A year after 9/11, we work to ensure counterterrorism remains at the top of the international agenda. We also provide a wide range of training--on terrorism financing, law enforcement, border control procedures--to help other countries help us beat the terrorist threat.

Falls Church, Va.: How can we effectively counter terrorism if we have to play by the rules when the terrorists do not?

Ann Korky: First, I'd say there have been some remarkable successes--like the change of government in Afghanistan and the capture of over 2400 Taliban and al-Qaida members in 90 countries. Terrorist financing has also been hard hit--over $150 million in assets frozen.

In the end, we believe that treating terrorists like the criminals they are and using the rule of law is what will win this campaign, including winning the sympathy of people in other nations.

Somewhere, USA: What is the State Department's role within the intelligence community. Since the attacks, the problems with communication between the CIA and FBI were apparent. How has this changed and where do you fit within Homeland Security as well?

Ann Korky: State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research is the Secretary's representative in the intelligence community. And community is the accurate way to describe both it and the interagency counterterrorism community.

Especially over the past year, interagency communication has been intense. We are all talking with each other more than ever before.

As for Homeland Security, my office has a direct link to Gov. Ridge's office. We also have a State Dept officer assigned to his staff. As plans for the new Dept of Homeland Security develop, we will adapt as needed.

Vienna, Va.: Where are we in the war on terrorism?
Please help us get it straight. What countries are supportive and have their intelligence helping us track down terrorists? Also, what are the countries that don't want to be involved as well as ones we are defining as enemy countries that might harbor terrorist?

Ann Korky: State's homepage, state.gov, has a press kit on the global coalition against terrorism that will give you details of countries' support for us and what has happened over the past year. You'll also find a link to our annual report on Patterns of Global Terrorism, that reviews 2001 in great detail, with a list of countries that are state sponsors of terrorism and organizations the Secretary has designated as "foreign terrorist organizations."

Washington, D.C.: How will you make sure that the CIA and the FBI talk to each other and don't get caught up in turf battles?

Ann Korky: The unified effort that has been forged since 9/11 has done a lot to address problems that existed in the past. As for State, it's not exactly our role to "make sure" other agencies are talking to each other. What I can assure you is that everyone now is talking and sharing information all the time.

Cumberland, Md. As part of counterterrorism what is the State Department doing worldwide with respect to visa issuance and more importantly tracking those who enter the US with valid visas? Are any background checks done to evaluate the likelihood a person might overstay their visa or attempt to claim asylum once in the US?

Ann Korky: Our consular officers overseas have tightened on visa procedures in their role as the "first line of defense." We are sharing information with others, like the INS and Justice, who are responsible for admitting aliens at ports of entry and tracking them once they are here. Background checks mostly deal with security risks. And we have always evaluated people's reasons for coming here, including the likelihood they will overstay.

Ann Korky: Thanks for your questions and interest. Our website, state.gov, has much more information related to the war on terrorism and I encourage you to visit it.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

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