WARSAW CONFERENCE ON ANTI-TERRORISM ENDS

WARSAW, Nov 6 (Hina) - By unveiling a plaque commemorating the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States in the chapel of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, the heads of state and government of Central, East and South-East European countries on Tuesday ended a day-long regional conference on anti- terrorism. The Warsaw conference, which was attended by 16 heads of state and government, including Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, ended with the adoption of a declaration condemning international terrorism and conveying the resolve of the participants to fight it with all means regulated with UN Security Council resolutions and within efforts taken by other international organisations in that regard. The participants also adopted a joint plan of action, which is in line with regulations of the European Union and UN Security Council resolutions, envisaging cooperation among police forces, customs services, intelligence services and financial institutions in the region in fighting terrorism. The plan binds the participants to strengthen cooperation within the South-East European Cooperation Initiative (SECI), organise a conference on tolerance and multiculturality, establish an institute for terrorism research and a foundation for the victims of terrorism as well as a centre for the training of anti-terrorist units. In his speech, President Mesic stressed the importance of each country opposing terrorism with its own resources. The President held a series of meetings with other high officials, including his host, Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski, and Yugoslav Premier Dragisa Pesic. (hina) rml