The exchange of information, the weak link in the fight against terrorism
(Archives B2 *) Coincidentally, at the same time as several bombs exploded in the London Underground, Peter Storr, the director of international affairs of the "Home Office" (the British interior ministry), exhibited in Brussels, at his colleagues from the “article 36” group (specialized in criminal cases) his country's priorities in criminal matters for the presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2005 (1).
Terrorism threat still high
And, of course, the fight against terrorism is at the top of his presentation. This experienced man insists in particular on the radicalization and the methods of recruitment of certain movements of terrorism which it is important to better define, according to him. " The threat of terrorism still remains high and an attack was not impossible adds, for his part, the European coordinator of the fight against terrorism, Gijs de Vries. States must not relax their efforts. And, " it will be necessary to improve the deadline for transposition of measures decided at European level He adds.
The turning point of 2001 and 2004
For almost 10 years, and a first European summit held in 1995 in...Madrid, Europe has not remained inactive in terms of terrorism. But it was especially after the attacks in New York in 2001 and Madrid in 2004 that a turning point was taken. A dozen decisions have since been adopted: from freezing the accounts of terrorist organizations to strengthening the Schengen file and judicial cooperation.
States do not report
But member states are reluctant to report to Brussels on the proper application of its measures. The names of the countries which have not transposed these decisions are not public but slipped on the sly to journalists. And, above all, cooperation between countries, the exchange of information in particular, despite fine declarations, remains the weak link. (*)
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) The British had seen fit to cancel a meeting of justice and home affairs ministers in July, believing that there was not really a file to discuss. The dramatic events in London have just reminded them of this necessity.
(*) revised version of an article published in Ouest-France