Terrorist attacks were down sharply last year and so were the number of anti-american attacks. This, according to the U.S. State Department’s annual report on terrorism. Carol Pearson reports.
The worst act of terrorism in 2002 was the bombing of a nightclub in Bali, that claimed 200 lives. But overall, according to the State Department’s latest report on global terrorism, the number of attacks and the number of those injured or killed were down.
The report cites 199 incidents in 2002, the lowest figure in more than 30 years. Secretary of State Colin Powell attributes the decline to international cooperation, increased vigilance and the international sanctions put in place after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
COLIN POWELL, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE
“Nations everywhere now recognize that we are all in this together. None of us can combat terrorism alone.”
Secretary Powell said the international effort to contain terrorism has made it harder for terrorists to hide, to organize and to fund their activities. The report designated Iran as the most active supporter of terrorism.
The other countries listed as states that sponsor terrorism include Cuba, North Korea, Libya, Syria, Sudan and Iraq, although Secretary Powell said Iraq is now free to become a contributor to international peace and security.