RALSTON SAYS ANTI-TERRORIST STRUGGLE MARATHON TO LAST MANY YEARS

BLED, Oct 6 (Hina) - The struggle against international terrorism will be long and requires the broadest support possible, U.S. General Joseph Ralston, NATO's commander in Europe, told an Atlantic Treaty Association conference in Bled, Slovenia on Saturday. The anti-terrorist struggle will not be a short-term campaign but a marathon lasting many years, Ralston said, pointing out the elimination of the political, economic and social conditions favouring terrorism would take much longer than its military eradication. The general said all states should endorse the anti-terrorist struggle, and pointed to the importance of public support, the exchange of intelligence data, and the break-up of financing channels. Ralston said the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States had bolstered partnership within NATO and the U.S. ties with Europe. He also said that while combating terrorism, NATO would not neglect its other priorities, including tasks in the Balkans. Instability in the region would provide fertile ground for the development of terrorism, and the possible reduction of NATO troops in the Balkans will not be related to the anti-terrorist action but increased stability there, Ralston said. Speaking about the Alliance's priorities, he mentioned intensifying military cooperation with the European Union, stronger ties with candidates aspiring for membership, and Russia and the Ukraine. The criteria for the admission of new members to NATO will be political, and candidates must be willing to and capable of contributing to the common security and defence of NATO. The Slovene winter resort of Bled is hosting the 47th assembly of the national Atlantic councils, as well as a meeting of the foreign ministers of countries-candidates for joining NATO, known as the Vilnius Group. The Vilnius Group includes Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Both meetings tackle security in the region in connection with activities against international terrorism, and prospects of NATO's expansion before next year's summit in Prague. (hina) ha