Controversy, differences in Riyadh conference over definition of terrorism

Deliberations of the Riyadh conference for fighting what is called terrorism witnessed controversy between delegations taking part over the definition of "terrorism." The Iranian delegation, for example, rejected that the resistance to occupation is terrorism, in a clear sign to the Palestinian and Iraqi peoples.

Member of the delegation, Ali Abu al-Husna said that people fighting for their freedom while under occupation is not equal with those killing innocent civilians. The Iranian official stressed the seriousness of his country in fighting what is called terrorism and the exchange of expertise and information in this regard.

The Syrian delegation demanded in its work paper to the conference of an international condemnation "of state terrorism represented by Israel." For her part, the chairperson of the American delegation Francis Townsand criticized Tehran strongly in her speech before the conference, recalling the speech by the US President George W. Bush on Wednesday in which he accused Iran as being one of the main countries in supporting terrorism.

Townsand recalled the need of overcoming what she called terrorism supported by states and governments, in remarks to countries accused by Washington of that including Syria and Iran. In this regard, she commended cooperation among the Arab Gulf states to fight terrorism in light what she called "intelligence information confirming the links between 'terrorist cells' in the Gulf."