From the moment TWA Flight 800 crashed into the Atlantic, there has been non-stop propaganda that the plane was the target of a terrorist bomb. Immediately, without any evidence, so-called experts on terrorism and military officials were questioned--not about the crash, but about the danger of terrorism. Why is this tragedy being used to create an atmosphere of fear and apprehension? Who stands to benefit? In the wake of the TWA crash, the bombings in Saudi Arabia and Atlanta, US imperialism is using terrorism for its own ends--to win support for aggression abroad and justify attacks on the rights of Americans. For example, under the guise of preventing terrorism, "search and seizure" without any cause has become customary at airports. Baggage left unattended, even for a few moments, can be seized and destroyed. Not only is it necessary to pass through metal detectors, but passengers are often also patted down with electronic batons. Now, Clinton has ordered increased security measures. The means and number of these searches and seizure of personal property will be intensified. The FBI--notorious for its surveillance and attacks on ordinary people, especially Blacks and political activists--will now be given greater authority to step up these attacks. Airport and related service workers are automatically suspects, targets for searches and investigations by police and FBI. Clinton is again pushing, and Congress is still debating, whether to give the FBI "emergency" wire-tapping authority. The monopoly-controlled media have been doing their part to back these measures by doing stories on how many workers handle cargo, that they are not searched going into work, etc. Next there will be demands that every employee be finger-printed, interrogated, and provide their life history before they are allowed to work! What is to prevent all these militarist measures from being extended to any worker that could possibly be involved? If these arbitrary measures become common place at airports, why not everywhere? All of these measures serve to turn the issue of terrorism into a law and order question. Ordinary people become suspects and treated like criminals. They are forced to accept the humiliation of numerous searches and arbitrary police action. State terrorism--organized by the government against the people, increases. Imperialism, as the source and cause of both individual and state terrorism, is let off the hook. Shawgi Tell University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education [EMAIL PROTECTED]