On Oct 16, 2003 Mr. Vic Comras, Minister Counselor (ret.), U.S. State Department kicked off our 2003 speaker series.  Comras is currently serving as one of five International Monitors charged by the U.N Security Council with overseeing the implementation of sanctions against al Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated terrorist groups. Mr. Comras brought an international perspective to the problems of international terrorism.

  Comras began by explaining the challenges of tracking and eliminating the activities of terrorists that threaten the free world. He first highlighted the beginnings of al Qaeda by tracing their roots back to their early efforts against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He then quickly showed us how this organization morphed, with the help of the Saudi Wahabe sect and their fanatical religious schools, into the modern terrorist organization we know today.

Having given this perspective, Vic was then able to lead us through actions underway throughout the world aimed at disrupting the numerous activities of terrorist groups.  He gave us an excellent overview of the varying degrees of success being realized, particularly as it related to the disruption of financial support for terrorists.  He emphasized that proactive members of the UN must pressure all members to aggressively close down financing and other activities that support terrorist actions. Comras’ view is that these efforts will only succeed when all countries pursue terrorists with the same diligence.  He readily admitted that, to date, countries vary widely in their efforts to discourage terrorism.

Comras concluded with his thoughts on the need to offer alternatives to the Wahabe schools for Muslim youth.  The education of far too many young Muslims relies exclusively on the misguided teachings of the radical Muslim groups in these sects.  Jihad is the only message these youth are getting and the world needs to provide them an alternative message.