International terrorism hits 34-year low, U.S. says

AP via Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 4/30/2004 | AP Staff

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

WASHINGTON -- There were fewer international terrorist attacks last year than any other year since 1969, the State Department said Thursday, although it didn't include most of the violence in Iraq.

Though Bush administration officials frequently refer to Iraqi insurgents as terrorists, most attacks in Iraq were not considered international terrorism because they were directed at combatants, the 181-page Patterns of Global Terrorism Report said.

In its introduction, the State Department's top counterterrorism official, Cofer Black, cited Saudi Arabia "as an excellent example of a nation increasingly focusing its political will to fight terrorism." The kingdom has frequently been criticized by members of Congress for not doing enough to stop terrorism.

Black said terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia in May and November "served to strengthen Saudi resolve."

Black also said al-Qaida "is no longer the organization it once was. " He said more than 3,400 al-Qaida suspects have been detained worldwide.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Hmm, I'm surprised that the AP would print this. They're always supporting Kerry who is insisting that we are no safer today than we were pre-Sept. 11th.