Combating Terrorism
Need For International Coalition

By Yuba Nath Lamsal

IN the aftermath of September 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Centre in the United States of America, there has been an unprecedented polorisation in the world—good versus evil, civilization versus barbarism, freedom versus dictatorship and creation versus destruction. The whole world has demonstrated a unique example of unity and solidarity against terrorism and terrorists wherever they are.

The Pentagon is the symbol of American military supremacy whereas World Trade Centre the nerve center of global capitalism. But the attacks should not be and has not been taken as the attack against the US alone. It is an attack on civilization, democracy, peace, and human prosperity—the modern day ideals. It is this reason why the whole civilized world has stood by the side of America condemning the attack and expressing its full support and solidarity in the war against terrorism. Even the countries, which protected and supported some terrorist groups in the past, have now clearly voiced against terrorism.

Immediately after the suicide attack, President George W. Bush declared war against terrorism. Now America is at war and the world is with it. Behind the terrorist attack, as the investigations have pointed out, is a Saudi billionaire, Osma bin Laden and his Al Queda, an organisation believed to be orchestrating violence and terror in different parts of the world, although he has denied his involvement. Bin Laden has connection and network with different terrorist groups from America to Africa and from Kosovo to Kashmir, through which he operates terrorist activities.

America and the world is seeking bin Laden for trial. Bin Laden is in Afghanistan under the protection of Taliban, who have been controlling and ruling most parts of Afghanistan. Talibans have refused the US demand to hand over bin Laden. The war in Afghanistan, thus, looks imminent.

Talibans are protecting bin Laden simply because they have one thing in common—spreading violence and terror both within and without Afghanistan. The Talibans have unleashed a reign of terror within Afghanistan whereas bin Laden and his Al Queda operates elsewhere in the world. The Talibans’ first victims are their own people. They have closed down schools, dismissed women from jobs, and enforced laws of medieval period. Their targets range from civilians, religious and cultural heritages to economic and social infrastructures. The demolition of the huge ancient Buddhist statues in Afghanistan a few months ago is a clear example of their terrorist attack on culture, and religious heritage and faiths. There is close collaboration between bin Laden’s groups and Talibans in creating terror in the world. If they are not contained in time, one day Liberty of Statue also could be a target of terrorist attack.

If America and its allies attack on Afghanistan, many civilians would be definitely killed, which is the worst part of the story. Killing civilians is no bravery but a cowardly act. In the war, there is no victory but civilization, humanity and development would be defeated. Should there be any options available, war must be avoided and peaceful solution sought. But it looks war is looming large in Afghanistan because Talibans are not listening to the world. As Afghanistan has been devastated by more than a decade-long war during Soviet invasion, Afghan people know how painful the
war is. There is nothing more to be destroyed in Afghanistan. It has no economy, no governance, no highways, no power and no development infrastructures. The country is littered with landmines left by both Soviet troops and Mujaheedins.

America and its allies are clearly aware of it. If war begin first at, Americans will have to clear the land mines and build roads and other development infrastructures to let their troops go in. Only then they would be able to capture the culprits.

The attack on Afghanistan will definitely have fall out in South Asia. South Asian nations know it very well. But the devil of terrorism is more dangerous than the war. Thus they have not only supported America but also accepted America’s offer to join this war. Nepal has also become part of the international community. It has always opposed and condemned violence, terrorism, conflict and war anywhere in the world. If needed, Nepal even offer its territory to be used in the war against terrorism.

Some tend to describe these developments especially after the suicide attacks in the United States as a clash between two civilizations—Christian West and the Islamic world. However, terrorism, violence, conflicts and killings are no civilization but an enemy of civilization. All religions in the world including Islam do not at all promote terrorism, hatred, conflicts, war and killings. Islam promotes love, harmony, understanding, peace and cooperation. Thus, the efforts of bin Laden and some international terrorist outfits to give religious cover to the heinous crime against humanity appear to be futile. The Islamic community has also realise, this and has condemned the terrorist acts.

Terrorism is the number one enemy of 21st century. It has no particular country and boundary. It exists all over the world in different forms and different names. The whole world has suffered from the menace of terrorism. It is the dangerous disease of humanity, civilization, peace and prosperity. It, thus, must be contained, combated and eliminated from the world.

However, it is not an easy task to contain it. It needs a global commitment and alliance of all freedom and peace loving people to sustain the fight against terrorism. Now the United States has led the international coalition against terrorism. It needs to sustain and continue unless the international terrorism is completely wiped out. There are some root causes of terrorism. Poverty, disparity and discrimination are the most prominent one. These issues and problems need to be addressed first to eliminate terrorism from the world. Unless poverty is attacked, gulf between the rich and the poor narrowed and a system of judicial distribution of wealth ensured, the war against terrorism might not be effective and decisive. Military action is also needed at present to teach perpetrators of terror a good lesson. But such an action would contain terrorism temporarily in certain area but it will revive and shift to other parts of the world as long as poverty and disparity continue to exist. The long-term and effective war against terrorism should be directed towards eliminating poverty and uprooting all social and economic ills that have been afflicting the people across the world.

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