In late November 2004, the WAR Report provided an analysis on a range of multilateral counter-terrorism efforts focusing on maritime security. For example, terrorism was a significant feature at the Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii, attended by some 40 nations; they launched a significant coordination and aid effort with the 11 states in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); terrorism featured prominently in discussions among the 22 nations attending the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Community in Chile; and maritime counter-terrorism strategy led the agenda at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS)?comprised of 18 navies, three observer navies, and two applicant observer navies. (WAR Report). Interestingly, however, a review of TRC?s RealNews newsletters published for the week ending December 10, 2004 (subscribe) highlighted a plethora of articles discussing bilateral counter-terrorism initiatives.

Three countries–including Russia , India , and Pakistan –were particularly active in bilateral diplomacy. First, beginning December 2, 2004, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the new Indian government headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Though economic, energy, and security concerns were all addressed during the two-day trip, the leaders made a joint declaration pledging to combat terrorism and reinforce the role of the United Nations. The following week, Putin sent Anatoly Safonov, his special presidential representative in charge of international cooperation in combating terrorism and transnational organized crime, to Japan . The two-day visit covered homeland security topics, including border-guarding, customs, and immigration services and countering al-Qaeda efforts to support the Chechen jihadist movement and infiltrate Japan. Finally, this week Spain?s Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapatero is scheduled to visit Moscow to discuss, inter alia, Islamic fundamentalist terrorist networks stretching ?from the Caucasus to Maghrib.? Although Chechen terrorists are the primary focus of Russian security forces, the links to Kashmiri militants and al-Qaeda sympathizers has prompted this flurry of diplomatic activity.

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