| Indonesians look to SPA, AU
for antiterrorism training BY ADRIENNE FRANK
Police hats from around the globe line justice, law and society professor Richard Bennett’s office. The hats were gifts to Bennett from foreign national security officials who’ve traveled to American University to participate in the National Antiterrorism Executive Forum, which he helps coordinate. “Let’s see, we’ve got Morocco, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic,” said the School of Public Affairs’ Bennett, scanning the walls. “I always ask them to bring me a hat.” Bennett has been involved with the forum, which is part of the State Department’s Antiterrorism Assistance Program, since 2000. Three times per year, foreign delegations comprising 22 to 30 judges, prosecutors, and military and police officials travel to Washington, D.C., for two weeks of training. In addition to spending time at the FBI, FEMA, State Department, and the University of Maryland, the groups spend three days at AU attending seminars on security-related issues. This week, Bennett is hosting 29 Indonesian officials. The group, he said, “is mostly comprised of the number twos of organizations,” and also includes two justices of the Indonesian Supreme Court.
Photo by Anne Doyle
Richard Bennett, right, cheers on the women’s basketball team along with Indonesian security officials.
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The group will attend lectures on topics such as religious extremism, analytic risk management, federal prosecution of terrorists under U.S. law, international accords against terrorism, and worldwide immigration issues affecting security. According to Bennett, the curriculum is based, in part, on what the participants indicate they would like to learn. “We give them certain basics—the American system of justice, trends in terrorism—but beyond that, it’s based on what they want to know,” said Bennett. “The Indonesian delegation, for example, includes two justices and four prosecutors and they were very interested in legal education in the United States. So, we’re taking them to the law school.” The talks are presented by faculty from across the AU campus, including the School of Public Affairs, Washington College of Law, and the College of Arts and Science. “The number one thing we have to offer these people is our expertise,” said Bennett, who added AU will host a delegation from Uzbekistan at the end of April. “I use all the resources on campus.” Experts from the State Department, Justice Department, Interpol, National Defense University, and Georgetown University will also give presentations.
Upon completion of their two-week training, the Indonesians will attend a graduation ceremony where they will receive a State Department diploma and a certificate from AU. And while the majority of the participants’ time is spent at work, Bennett said they’ve made a little time for play. “[Last week] we took them to an AU women’s basketball game, and they met with [athletics director] Joni Comstock and had a nice dinner. So, we’re even bringing athletics in on this program.” |
