U.S. and EU counter-terrorism cooperation and divergent approaches after 9/11

¶ … Net Assessment: U.S. And the EU

THE U.S., THE E.U. AND TERRORISM

A Net Assessment

Relationship, Dependence and Vulnerabilities

The Past and the 9/11 Event

The United States and the European Union did not have a direct organizational connection on counter-terrorism since the 9/11 event except through multi-lateral collaborations like the Interpol, the United Nations, the Financial Action Task Force and similar fora (Segell, 2004). In view of a common concern and as an offshoot of their broad partnership, the EU and the U.S. entered into a joint intelligence counter-terrorism collaboration. This co-occurred with the restructuring, broadening and integration of EU states. Their common interests and concern led to the establishment of the intelligence agency cooperation in response to the 9/11 event. The EU separately honed its own strategies in implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 1373 by taking a position within the purview of the EU's Second Pillar (Segell).

A Difference in View and Approach to Terrorism

As a consequence of the 9/11 disaster, the U.S. assumed a hard-line stance against terrorism, which would not yield to blackmail or make any compromises or concessions (Segell, 2004). EU found this rigid pose incompatible with its own and for some time, could not find a common ground with the U.S. As regards the fight against terrorism. The 9/11 event led to the strengthening of the anti-terrorist intelligence cooperation between them. Europol's powers would exceed those, which were decided during the European Conference in London in March 1998. At this Conference, the Spanish representative stressed the need for the enlargement of Europol's powers to properly respond to the threat of terrorism. Europol then was invested with the major tasks of opening and analyzing files on terrorism; the empowerment of security agencies specializing in terrorism; and the coordination of investigation teams from EU member states in a common fight (Segell).

Bridging the Gap

The realistic key to truly defeating terrorism is to foil acts of violence (Segell, 2004). This can be done by gathering and analyzing data proactively and by arresting and prosecuting would-be perpetrators. This task lies in the hands of intelligence agencies. The EU is responding appropriately to the new form of terrorism, which destroyed many lives and properties in New York City. EU determined to centralize intelligence, police and judiciary capabilities within the Europol and Eurojust. The U.S. is the biggest beneficiary of the new cooperation. The relationship of the U.S. with Europol is, however, only a fragment of its initiatives in Europe, consisting of both bileral and unilateral operations through diplomatic missions and multinational corporations (Segell).