On Monday, the United States begins to train Zambian emergency workers in anti-terrorism methods. The Zambian government had requested the training in the wake of the September 11th attacks on New York City and Washington.
The Anti-terrorism Assistance Program of the US Diplomatic Security Service will train 150 Zambian emergency service workers - including police officers, fire fighters, medical personnel and postal workers. They will be taught to recognize and respond to chemical, biological or radiological threats.
In a press release, the US embassy in Lusaka says instructors from the Diplomatic Security Service will conduct the training -- which takes place all of this week. The statement also says the US ambassador to Zambia, Martin Brennan, is expected to officially open the training program. The Antiterrorism Assistance Program – or ATA - is one of America’s key elements in the fight against international terrorism.
The US government augments the anti-terrorism capabilities of friendly countries with training, and with technical and logistical support. With this assistance, the US government hopes to enhance the ability of recipient countries to take decisive action against terrorism.
The Zambian government condemned the terrorist attacks on the United States two years ago. Lusaka pledged to cooperate in the fight against terrorism but asked the US to offer training. Zambia has never been a target of terrorist attacks but government officials say it’s necessary that its emergency workers get the training because militants have sworn to attack American interests around the world. In recent years, that’s included devastating attacks on the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.