http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=12228
Commentary: Hunting motives, not just terrorists Commentary by Jen Alic-Tracy (15/07/06) This is war. Bombing innocent civilians on their way to work is a cowardly way to conduct it, as is forming a coalition to invade a smaller nation under apparently false pretenses of an immediate security threat. But then, war is the conduct of the cowardly. It may seem disrespectful or dishonorable to question the British government's statements on the motives behind the suicide bombings that rocked London's transport system last week, or the efforts by Britain and other European countries' to make sure such attacks do not happen again - but that is as foolish as sticking one's head in the sand. Only an honest discussion about why London was targeted could possibly prevent future attacks. When Prime Minister Tony Blair blamed the deadly bombings that killed 53 innocent civilians on an "evil ideology", he seemed to be trying to draw attention away from what overwhelming evidence shows to have been the real reason for the attack - Britain's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Al-Qaida has made it clear that it has much more concrete and realistic goals than simply spreading an "evil ideology" that targets Western culture, which it despises. It has made concrete demands - mainly, the withdrawal of US and allied forces from the Arabian peninsula and Afghanistan and the end of their support for Israel's occupation of the Palestinian Territories. These issues have succeeded in uniting Muslims around the world much more than any broad, idealistic, and unrealistic goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate from Spain to Saudi Arabia could ever have achieved. Statements by Blair and his Labour Party deputies that last week's terrorist attacks on London had nothing to do with military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq are rather misleading. Immediately after joining forces with the US in its "war on terror", Downing Street warned that a terrorist attack on Britain was inevitable. Then came Afghanistan and Iraq, with Britain joining the US amid warnings of terrorist attacks on countries participating in those two wars. These warnings were repeated by Liberal MPs in the run-up to the US-led invasion of Iraq and made consistently thereafter. The March 2003 train bombings in Madrid should have left no doubts about the terrorists' strategy; Spain was being punished for joining the US-led war in Iraq and other countries would follow. Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar lost the subsequent election mainly for denying the obvious link. Indeed, al-Qaida warned of more such attacks in countries whose governments had a hand in the invasion and occupation. Admitting therefore, that foreign policy played in role in last week's attacks in London, or at least allowing for that possibility, would be much more respectful to the families and friends of the those who died last week than spinning a vague theory about an "evil ideology" - which is politically convenient as it represents an irrational force that cannot be stopped by negotiations, leaving only direct action. Accepting that the attacks may have come in response to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would mean that Western governments could negotiate with the terrorists and risk losing the moral high ground. The immediate response of the British government - and other Western European nations - to the attack has been strangely misguided. Earlier this week, the Italian authorities conducted a massive sweep of the country, detaining over 170 people suspected of having connections with extremist groups and ordering the deportation of some 50 illegal immigrants. The search of hundreds of homes and other buildings turned up nothing more threatening than some impotent Arabic literature. No charges were filed, nor were any formal arrests made. In fact, this police action seems to have been mainly directed against illegal immigrants rather than suspected terrorists. While the Italian authorities' response may have been prompted by the threat of terrorist attacks, the bombings in London showed that police have once again been knocking on the wrong doors. Back in London, Blair is using the opportunity to push through tougher security legislation that will allow for urgent action against radical Muslim clerics who "incite and instigate" acts of terrorism or "glorify" and "endorse" such acts. The legislation will implement measures to ensure that foreign imams coming to Britain speak some English and have an understanding of the British way of life. In the meantime, British police have said the four men they suspect were responsible for last week's suicide bombings were British-born Muslims from middle class neighborhoods - young men who were described as "normal" and assimilated into British society. If that turns out to be true, hounding illegal immigrants, closing down borders, and forcing traveling Muslim clerics to learn a little English is not likely to prevent future attacks. Re-examining foreign policy decisions and taking responsibility for their consequences, as well as examining the root causes of terrorism, would be a more promising approach to protecting innocent civilians. Jen Alic-Tracy is the editor-in-chief of ISN Security Watch. The opinions contained in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of the International Relations and Security Network (ISN). -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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