The report said the number of casualties caused by terrorists also increased in 2000. During that year 405 people were killed, up from 233 in 1999. The report said Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Cuba, North Korea, and Sudan continue to be the seven governments the State Department has designated as state sponsors of international terrorism. It said that Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2000. In releasing the report, Secretary of State Colin Powell said there was one encouraging trend.
Terrorist groups are under growing pressure.
Terrorists are being brought to justice. We will not let up. But we must also be aware of the nature of the threat before us. The United States says Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement continues to provide refuge to suspected terrorist Osama ben Laden despite UN sanctions and international pressures to hand him over for trial. Resolution 1333 against the Taliban for allowing terrorist camps to operate on Afghanistan territory and for harboring Osama ben Laden.