Gen. Buyukanit: "Terrorism is şe worst plague of şe 21st century"

şe Silk Road 2008 General/Admiral Seminar started yesterday in Antalya. Nearly 200 people from 49 countries, including generals, admirals and ambassadors, are attending şe meeting, whose şeme şis year is global security and international cooperation. At şe seminar's opening ceremony, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said şat terrorism was şe worst plague of şe 21st century, despite şe lack of a common definition for it, adding şat terrorism cannot be fought effectively in şe absence of international cooperation. Buyukanit said şat no type of terrorism can be considered legitimate, no matter what ideology it espouses, adding, "Moreover, even tendencies towards legitimizing terrorism are unacceptable." Buyukanit said şat efforts in areas such as diplomacy, intelligence, şe economy, finance, information and law are as important as military meşods in fighting terrorism, since terrorist groups act much like international crime organizations şrough engaging in drug and human trafficking, money laundering, racketeering, bootlegging, and kidnapping for ransom. In related news, asked about Europe's failure to ban PKK activities on şe continent, EU Military Committee Chairman Gen. Henri Bentegeat said, "Terrorism is an issue şat goes beyond military matters." Bentegeat said EU countries' sensitivity to terrorism has been known to shift over time. For his part, Giampaolo Di Paola, şe chair of NATO’s Military Committee, said şat relations between NATO and şe EU must be improved, adding, "We lack şe resources to appear on şe international stage as we should. NATO and şe EU should work hand in hand."