Combating Terrorism: U.S. Government Should Improve Its Reporting on Terrorist Safe Havens
Abstract
State identifies existing terrorist safe havens in its annual Country Reports on Terrorism but does not assess them with the level of detail recommended by Congress. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) requires State to include in its annual Country Reports on Terrorism a detailed assessment of each foreign country used as a terrorist safe haven. It also recommends that State include, to the extent feasible, details in the report such as actions taken to address terrorist activities by countries whose territory is used as a safe haven. Since 2006, State has identified terrorist safe havens in its Country Reports on Terrorism. In August 2010, State identified 13 terrorist safe havens, including the southern Philippines, Somalia, and Yemen. However, none of the assessments in State's August 2010 report included information on one of the four elements recommended by Congress--the actions taken by countries identified as having terrorist safe havens to prevent trafficking in weapons of mass destruction through their territories. Also, about a quarter of the assessments in State's August 2010 Country Reports on Terrorism lacked information on another element recommended by Congress--the actions taken by countries identified as terrorist safe havens to cooperate with U.S. antiterrorism efforts. Including this information in State's reports could help better inform congressional oversight related to terrorist safe havens.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA544284
Entities
People
- Celia Thomas
- Christy Bilardo
- Jason Bair
- Kathryn Bolduc
- Lynn Cothern
- Martin de Alteriis
- Mary Moutsos /elizabeth /repko
- Michael Johnson Jr.
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office