On September 8, 2007 General Wesley Clark delivered the keynote speech at the International Institute of Counter-Terrorism (ICT) 7th International Conference: An Annual Gathering of the Counter Terrorism Community

September 8-11, 2007
“Terrorism’s Global Impact”
Herzliya, Israel

Thank you for that kind introduction. What a pleasure to be with you here this evening. Every time I return here, I am overwhelmed by the physical beauty, and in awe of the spirit and the courage and the energy of the Israeli people.

My first visit was in 1976, as a member of a White House team working foreign assistance in the region. We met with your Prime Minister, Itzak Rabin, and sat around his dinner table until well after midnight discussing the region, and all that had transpired, 1948, 56, 67, 73- with him and some of his cabinet. Afterward, we walked the walls around Jerusalem, ending up at the Wailing Wall at 4 AM. Jerusalem was bathed in the orange glow of newly installed sodium vapor lights, and basking in peace. And to a young Army officer, this was just an emotional, really overpowering experience.

I've been back many times, and dealt with the issues of the region in many roles during my military service, from sharing training techniques with IDF officers visiting my command in the California desert to, in my last capacity, as Commander-in-Chief of the US European Command, and helping work Israel's security needs with Amnon Lipkin-Shahak and Shaul Mofaz and others.

And so it was with particular concern that I watched from afar as intense diplomacy in Maryland gave way to strife and open conflict - just as Shaul Mofaz had warned me it would when we conferred on my last visit in the spring of 2000 - and the terrible tragedy of suicide bombing after suicide bombing returned again, vicious attacks against innocent civilians, meant to terrorize and demoralize. And like every American, I took heart in Israel's courage, and pride in Israel's strength, and tried to understand and learn from Israel's experiences.

Today Israel has proved once again its mettle in a tempestuous region, but both continuing and new challenges are growing.

To the East, sadly, Iran is working to achieve its long term ambitions of regional power, even some kind of hegemony, as well as nuclear capability. In a weird parody of democracy, Iran's democratically elected leader is pushing his nation on a reckless path toward greater isolation and open conflict, and this despite the demonstrated attitudes of the majority of the Iranian people, who seek greater cooperation and interchange with the West, and any end to conflict within the region. Iran's malign influence on Syria and Lebanon, and its support and direction of Hezbollah - and Hezbollah's rearmament and renewed preparations make it the number one threat in the region.

Sadly, despite the hopes of many for the American intervention in Iraq, and despite the sacrifice of nearly 4,000 American and many tens of thousand civilian deaths, over two million refugees, hundreds of billions of dollars, and the continuing efforts of over 170,000 mostly American ground troops, the conflict in Iraq continues. And with it comes increased recruiting and training for terrorists, opportunities for Iranian encroachment on another state, and destructive intensification of rivalries and ambitions between Sunni and Shia Islam. All of which has benefited the very organization behind the terrorist attacks on my country in 2001.

There will be no more SCUD missiles launched by Saddam Hussein against Israel, or any other of his former neighboring states, but to the disappointment of many, "the road to Jerusalem" hasn't run through Baghdad," at least not yet. Last year's kidnapping of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah, recent Syrian rearmament efforts, and of course continuing provocations from Hamas-dominated Gaza and struggles in the West Bank have made last peace and fair resolution of long standing issues just another frustrated hope for people in Israel and throughout the region.

Every American President since 1948 has stood squarely committed to the security of the state of Israel. And this has reflected the strength of the friendship and admiration of ordinary Americans for the people of Israel.

Today, we must work together to deal with the threats to Israel, the region, and, indeed, to international security and prosperity which emanate from this region.

This begins by facing the reality of Iran. Diplomacy, thus far, hasn't dissuaded Iran, not one bit, not from seeking their nuclear power, not from encouraging violence and conflict inside Iraq, and not from preparing new proxy campaigns against Israel. The US is absolutely right to seek stiffer sanctions against Iran...and to speak with Iran in the tentative bilateral dialogue concerning stability in Iraq.

But, my friends, diplomacy hasn't really been tried yet, not in the robust, forward manner that I saw when we worked it in Southeast Europe a decade ago. There, too, we had seen hesitancy and feeble efforts, half-hearted discussions backed by half-hearted suasion, and much hand wringing, as hundreds of thousands of lives were lost and millions were displaced in the ethnic conflict and open warfare.

But then the United States did step forward, diplomatically, with a set of principles, some consequences - positive and negative - and real leadership in walking the line between peace and war. Over the course of five years, we ended one conflict, held elections, redressed grievances, captured war criminals, fought and won any extended air campaign, and ultimately brought to justice the former Serbian head of state, Slobodan Milosevic, with the assistance of his own people. We did it with diplomacy and force, with tactics and strategy, with our allies and neighbors, and without the loss of any American service member in combat. The work's not quite done in the region, and the people of Kosovo are looking anxiously to the international community and the American government to see if pledges made will indeed be honored.....but as one of the participants in this saga, I saw first hand what courageous diplomacy, backed by threats and the use of force, as well as positive suasion, can achieve.

And that's why for more than five years I've called for any intensified engagement with Iran. Real dialogue, backed by principles and consequences, dialogue with the full weight of the United States and American leadership. Not outsourced discussions - but hard edged, realistic dialogue in which alternatives futures and pathways are really presented, and consequences clarified. In such discussions, and their margins, no option is off the table. And were the Iranians to doubt this they'd have only to look to their west, south, east and even north, to see American power and capabilities.

The hour is growing late, as Iranian President Ahmadinejad tempts fate and the future of the Iranian people with his provocative statements and activities - but it is not too late for real engagement by Washington with Tehran - and for Iran's leadership- to head off what will otherwise become another conflict in this region. Ahmadinejad should be under no illusions - Iran will not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons, and any purely internal political power he may gain by provoking the West and threatening Israel, he will surely lose in the crisis and conflict that would follow.

But others can convey this much more powerfully and directly than I - and I hope they will - before the only remaining alternative is the resort to force.

And in the Balkans, I saw something else - the power of "legitimacy," and the weight of international law. Expressed as empty slogans, no, it doesn't carry much weight. But backed by the full power of nations, it mobilizes whole peoples, defines boundaries, encourages refined consideration of options, and provides a basis for enduring stability. It was critical in breaking the grip of the Communism in Eastern Europe, and in smashing Serb Ethnic cleansing in Southeast Europe. And it will be critical in dealing with the second of the security challenges we face emanating from this region: terrorism.

Stronger intelligence, yes, more effective security measures, certainly - and I'm sure we'll discuss all these here - but also, the rule of law. Published, agreed norms, fair and open trials, impartial justice. The rule of Law. Our own standards. In the long term struggle against terrorists, our own principles are perhaps our most effective and even decisive means for success. They must be protected, and effectively employed to strengthen our legitimacy, and undercut the legitimacy of those who attack and kill the innocent. Terrorists are not warriors - they are criminals, criminals of particularly dangerous persuasion, but criminals. They should be treated as such, and denied the legitimacy of any combatant status. In the longer term, terrorism is first and foremost a struggle of ideas, convictions and passion. And we must do our part to deprive terrorist recruiters of the seed corn they seek, the feelings of personal and cultural humiliation, alienation, frustration, and despair that are used to identify and indoctrinate potential recruits. And this in turn requires far broader measures of political, social and economic development in many areas of the world. It is indeed likely to be one of our foremost challenges for much of this century, in one form or another.

But far more pressing is to end the violence and resolve the long-standing struggle with the Palestinians. I leave it to Israel, her people and leaders, to work such a solution. But it can't be done without any effective negotiating partner - so far lacking. It can't be done without greater security for Israel - and it can't be done without outside help and support - and here I hope the United States will be forthrightly and fully engaged.

Set against this backdrop of weighty policy requirements, we are gathered here today to discuss tactics and techniques, to worry about the small steps as well as the large steps hat will be necessary to secure freedom, prosperity and peace for our children and grandchildren.

And we're gathered here in this very special country. Under democracy, in freedom, and in faith. That in itself, represents a wonderful achievement.