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Rejecting Al Qaeda And Its Terrorism Is The Only Alternative
Raghida Dergham Al-Hayat 2004/03/19
Our children, grandchildren, loved-ones and us will remain the victims and hostages of terrorism for a long time. There is no indication that the Al Qaeda network and its affiliates will give up their doctrine of destruction as there is no indication that governments particularly that of the United States is ready to alter and correct its policies in a way that could mobilize international public opinion against terrorism. It is the age of instability, chaos and vengeance. It is also the time of the tyranny of the superior, as in the case of the U.S., and the tyranny of suicide and the killing of civilians, as in the ideology of Al Qaeda and its associates. We have fallen in the trap of allowing our frustration to become a weapon in the hands of those who do not hesitate in destroying us while destroying our enemies. Many in the Arab world, and to a smaller extent in Europe, consider that America and its policies originally created terrorism and then promoted it when it could have put an end to it. Those remember how the FBI embellished "Jihad" (holy war) when its fighters were defeating Communism in Afghanistan. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, America left the Mujahideen without a job.
Public opinion also feels that the U.S. allied itself with governments at the expense of its peoples, at the time America could not care less about democracy and reform. They point out how it used Iraq and Saddam Hussein in the war with Iran in order to contain the Islamic revolution, for America fought Iran and the Shiites as it was creating Sunni fundamentalism in Afghanistan, while today it calls for pro-Shiite arrangements. Thus, many consider America, the superpower, as lacking a sense of justice for it steps on others' rights, creates turmoil to secure its interest, chews its allies then spits them out, implements racist policies and is a prey of Israeli apologists. So, they conclude that America only understands the language of terror, in this way they support Al Qaeda's threat to the U.S. even if its means are questionable. This feeling reflects frustration in the full sense of the word. The global and Arab public opinion consider this a war of annihilation but the fact of the matter is that this war cannot be won as long as the U.S. refuses to correct its policies and as long as Al Qaeda adopts destruction as its basis.
If some think that Al Qaeda, if its responsibility of the Madrid attacks was confirmed, have accomplished a breakthrough in influencing elections and changing governments, they should consider the following: First, European governments have agreed on tougher measures against terrorism, which probably would reflect on Arab communities in Europe. Secondly, the important motive of Spanish voters was to punish their government for rushing to accuse the Basque organization ETA for electoral reasons. It is true that the Madrid operation might make countries hesitate before sending troops to Iraq but it might also backfire in issuing a Security Council resolution that would grant official international endorsement of the occupation. Furthermore, a similar operation in America might guarantee President Bush the presidency and even the Madrid attacks could expand his war on terrorism. Yet, the question remains: what did this operation accomplish? More opposition to the American policies? Possibly. More isolation for the U.S.? Perhaps. It led to the fall of a government? Congratulations, what it accomplished is implanting terror and launching a new war? Yes, but for what objective?
What terrorism failed to accomplish is to attract youth in their promise for a prosperous future and a normal life. On the contrary, what they promise is the desire for death, the killing of civilians, destruction, revenge and hatred. Despite all this, Al Qaeda has a frightening popularity among large sectors of those who have surrendered to frustration and this is precisely where the problem lies. The only way out is a global mobilization against American policies and against Al Qaeda. Money is being spent on an ambiguous war instead of funding education, healthcare and development. "Internationalism" has become a war on terrorism instead of being an attempt to abridge the gap between the developed and developing worlds. A clash of religions and civilizations has occurred instead of coexistence.
If the American people seek a normal and secure life they should get more involved in their foreign policy, instead of considering it something that does not concern them, and they should ask their government to correct its mistakes in its policy towards Israel. The Arab people as well will not have a normal and secure life if they do not distinguish between their rejection of American policy and terrorism as a means to express anger. Peoples should realize that it is not about Palestine, Iraq and despotic regimes, for France was also threatened due to its outlawing of the Muslim veil in its schools.
There is fear from more terrorist attacks but the biggest fear is from a future without hope, this is the future that Al Qaeda is sure to bring. The alternative is clear for all the peoples of the world: popular mobilization against terrorism and against those who have made it a world war and used non-submission as a justification. Without such mobilization, there is no hope. Without difficult decisions, there is no future and no right to complain.
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