The skill and scale of the recent terrorist attacks in America have shocked experts.President Bush has declared a war against terrorism. This will be a new kind of war. Theenemy is invisible. If it remains a war against terrorists, America could win battles butlose the war. If it is truly a war against terrorism, America could win the war and changethe world. But some things need prior understanding.
First, extensive TV coverage of the event empathised the whole world with America. Butdo Americans appreciate that the earlier grief of countless terrorism victims worldwideunrecorded by TV cameras was equally painful? This column had once described America asthe capital of the world. America will have to act like one to carry world opinion withit.
Second, people must forget the past. It is no use blaming America for having createdterrorism in Afghanistan, or Pakistan for creating it in Kashmir, or India for creating itin Sri Lanka. For Mahatma Gandhi, non-violence was a moral imperative. For the 21stcentury world, without prejudice to any dispute, non-violence has become a survivalimperative.
Third, President Bush said no distinction would be made between terrorists and nationsthat harbour them. Obviously, Palestinians and Pakistanis must distance themselves fromthe terrorist outfits they have been co-existing with. But equally, no distinction shouldbe made for nations that assist nations harbouring terrorists.
China props up Pakistan. Pakistan props up the Taliban. In 1998, China defused and tookaway two unexploded missiles from Afghanistan to China. In 2000, China directly helped theTaliban by setting up its communications system. During Kargil, Chinese army officersmonitored supplies to the terrorists. On September 11, when terrorists launched attacks inAmerica, China signed an MoU with the Taliban providing it economic help. No wonder theTaliban describes only America, Russia and India as Islam's enemies, not China.
Fourth, America must be transparent. Leading New York Times columnist William Safiredisclosed that a threatening message relayed to American intelligence using a secret codeindicated there was a mole in American security. All the efforts of a united world wouldfail if America cannot expose its enemies within.
The recent terrorist attack could initiate a new world order. It could lead to WorldWar III. Whatever. It's unlikely that things will ever be the same again.
Will we live,
Or will we die?
We'll know this
By and by!
