AMERICA ON ALERT............... by SPANKOZ AUSTRALIA

( We thought that this was a catchy title when Yahoo came up with it . But really it should be " WORLD on ALERT " , it is a global threat . )

The events of 11 September are having profound effects upon the World . This page will contain our ideas on these events as seen from the perspective of our other pages devoted to Human Rights issues .

Because of the subject matter and our recent move , we will be taking a few days to complete this task .

Sometimes living in Australia has it 's advantages . This is not to say we have not been touched and deeply moved by these events . Australia has lost somewhere between 50 and 60 people , both passengers on the airplanes and in New York . Australian companies both carried some of the insurance risk on all four planes and held the head lease on the shopping centre in the World Trade Center . This is our highest loss from warlike actions in peace time . For the first time the provisions of The ANZUS TREATY have been implemented . Australian sea , ground and air forces are already serving with US forces . ( One killed so far , three hundred plus enemy dead - May , 2002 )

Australia was also saturated with media coverage for the first days . Now it is , more or less , back to normal . In our view this is part of the recovery process , we are not being subjected to the nationalistic coverage now occurring in the U. S. . A balance is coming back , an international perspective is emerging . Without this perspective it is not possible to understand and deal with this threat . Americans who have lived overseas have generally developed this perspective .

Since the end of WW II , American Foreign Policy has supported numerous Regimes of questionable local standing . By and large , Human Rights issues were ignored and as a result many local populations suffered . This suffering has , over the years , produced a breeding ground for disaffected radicals who dislike the United States for a variety of reasons . We are not talking about the US intentions at the time , but the way it may have been seen by those on the ground .

For this reason the response to these attacks must be measured and have regard to the local community . If this is not done casualties will unacceptably high amongst a mainly innocent civilian population , which will in turn produce a new generation of radicals .

There can be no room for international doubt that only the guilty are being targeted . This will take time , the situation has developed over the past 50 years , it can not be remedied overnight .

Even now , some days later , feelings of revulsion and anger are hard to repress .

Those responsible for this outrage must be stopped . This is not revenge , it is a response to a military attack from organisations , as yet to be determined , which pose a security threat to all nations . The world can not condemn all from any geographic area or group , only those responsible . It is ironic that those who have fled these repressive regimes are now being blamed for their actions . Worse still are the attacks on Islam , it's followers and property .

Quite frankly we are fed up with the moronic followers of perceived public opinion , these frequenters of talk shows and the like . Their stupidity and greed has , in part , led to the current situation .

This quotation , from the man who burned Atlanta , sums up another reason for a reasoned , appropriate response . This is not WW III yet . War is about killing , killing going forward , going backward or even standing still . It should not be undertaken lightly and without the will to see it through . It must have a clear aim .

This aim would appear to be changing to include the elimination of the Taliban Regime . Reasons for this action , in addition the the Bin Laden factor , are their abuses of human rights ( in particular those of women ) and there failure to provide for their own citizens .

This is both a long and short term problem , there is no San Juan Hill .

If you , Dear Visitor , really want to stop this carnage , you must support groups such as AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL . This is a wakeup call , the majority of our fellow citizens of the World are below whatever poverty level you care to set , this is the reason for hatred . We are one world , not the US or Britain or Egypt .

The conditions which brought this abomination about are capable of remedy and there is only way to put an end to possible similar events in the longer term .

The short term fix is a Military one ( should the current political approach fail ) , there are but a few thousand troops in the world capable of conducting this type of operation . It appears that the US administration has now realised this and we all hope and pray that the media will too .

When this business is done , we hope that all will remember that the world stood shoulder to shoulder with the US in the face of this threat . It is implied that the US will , in return , not forget the rest of the world in environmental , human rights and trade matters . The first step should be the immediate US ratification of :
The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change .

We , in Australia , have sent forces to the Gulf and Afghanistan . We have taken casualties , entertained some of the NYFD and NYPD officers and their families , even saved the survivors of the US helicopter which was shot down in Afghanistan by controlling air support missions until ground troops arrived .

Well , NO , the first priority of any military operation is the selection and maintenance of THE AIM , which was to DESTROY those responsible for these attacks . This has not been achieved .

Again the media has let various world governments sidetrack them from reporting on their progress towards achieving this aim . What is worse , the subversion of the public's desire for protection has been diverted into achieving party political goals , which are sometimes suspect . This has been largely unreported , and there has been little informed debate.

It goes without saying that 911 was an intelligence disaster . We were caught napping .

Surprise is a critical factor in any attack and now that it is realised that attackers are prepared to die , the equation is forever changed . Now , someone will take them on , what is there to loose ?

Unless you get lucky , an intelligence organisation works from the outside of the enemy organisation towards the centre . Here timely enemy records were available in Afghanistan and went begging , there appears to have been little planning to capture and interpret this information . This is what is called HOT information which could have led to the rapid capture and destruction of the organisation's down legs . Now the enemy runs from Internet Cafes around the world etc . They are probably reading these words with a smile on their face !

Other forms of attack are possible , some of our older readers may remember the WW II Nazi saboteur threat and the " Reds Under The Bed " scare of the early to mid 1950's . Well these may still be possible , but the best way of stopping these , as has worked for the last half of the last centaury , is vigilance and engagement with the rest of the world . Otherwise the world becomes more dangerous by the minute , with each tank round fired in Palestine ( and other areas ) .

Governments who unilaterally increase defence spending , ignore international treaties on weapons of mass destruction , the environment and trade only destabilise the world . Presumably , this is not what they were elected to do .

Last centaury we had 2 1/2 World Wars , please Dear God ( Allah etc ) let us not have another !

Harvard University has pledged $1 million and joined with the American Council on Education to raise scholarship funds, on behalf of higher education, for the children and spouses of the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. These funds will be part of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund administered by the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America.

Below are announcements from the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund and from the president of the American Council on Education.

WASHINGTON - Former President Bill Clinton and Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole announced today that they are teaming up to chair a scholarship fund campaign that will provide educational assistance for the children and spouses of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. The two promised to help build the "Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund(tm)," which was founded by the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) and the Lumina Foundation for Education. Organizers hope to raise the funds needed to distribute at least $100 million to financially needy applicants for use at all types of postsecondary education, including two and four year colleges, trade and vocational schools, and others. The goal of the Fund is to continue for as long as there is need from the families of the attack victims.

In a statement, President Clinton said: "The tragedy of September 11th left many young people without parents. Young people who with a helping hand and the chance for a higher education will go on to great things. Young people who with your help might even go on to become President of the United States. I am honored to be working with Senator Dole on the 'Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund' to make sure that all of the victims of this tragedy can get the education that they want and deserve."

Senator Dole echoed those remarks, commenting that "Americans have shown extraordinary generosity and caring in the weeks following the attacks. I am grateful that we can play some small part in helping ease the burden of the victims and their families. The children of firefighters and police officers, flight crews and passengers, World Trade Center and Pentagon workers - all of the victims of the attacks -- have lost so much. We hope that this scholarship fund will help erase some of their doubts and fears about their future."

Andrew McKelvey, CEO of TMP Worldwide, announced that he is contributing $1 million to help jump start fundraising efforts for the Fund. Clinton and Dole have made public service television and radio spots that will be aired to promote the Fund. The public service announcement is scheduled to premier on Sunday, October 7, during the Emmy Awards broadcast on CBS television. McKelvey also announced that his company is providing a toll-free number that individuals can use to contribute, and TMP has worked with CFSA on the on-line presence for the Fund.

The Fund was founded and is being administered by CSFA, the nation's largest nonprofit private-sector scholarship and educational support organization, which through its other scholarship programs aided more than 85,000 students in 2000. (More information is available at http://www.csfa.org.) CSFA President William C. Nelsen said: "United we stand, today, tomorrow, and into the future as we remember the victims of the attack on America. The 'Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund' honors their memories by providing educational assistance for their children and spouses. We are honored to have Former President Clinton and Senator Dole help lead this effort for a brighter future. I am also grateful to Georgetown University for their help in making this announcement possible."

Nelsen continued that CSFA "started the Fund less than two weeks ago with an initial grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education of $3 million, and now we are gratified that Brocade Communications Systems and ONI Systems of Silicon Valley are spearheading the 'Technology Partners for Families of Freedom' with their contribution of $1 million in stock each and their initiative to raise $50 million of the $100 million goal from companies in the technology sector or related fields."

Hugh Martin, chairman, president and CEO of ONI Systems, said that the employees of his company were "deeply affected by the events of September 11 and eager to show their support. The concept for this 'Technology Partners' stock fund married perfectly with the stated goals of the 'Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund'."

Greg Reyes, Chairman and CEO of Brocade, added that "giving to the 'Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund' is an opportunity for technology companies across the country to join together to help ensure a bright future for the families of the victims of September 11. Together with ONI Systems, we are pleased to spearhead the effort to rally our industry to this important cause."

Harvard University has pledged $1 million to the Campaign and is joining with the American Council on Education to support this effort on behalf of higher education.

Individuals can donate or apply for scholarship funds on-line at http://www.familiesoffreedom.org
or by calling toll free, 800-335-1102. Or they can donate by mail by making a check payable to Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America designating the "Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund" and mail it to CSFA, 1501 Riverview Road, PO Box 297, St. Peter, MN 56082.

The tragic events of September 11th in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania shocked our nation and the world. We will be grappling with the consequences of these events in many spheres of our life and society for a very long time.

No one has been more directly affected than the nearly 7,000 families who suffered the loss of a loved one as a result of these combined attacks. For these mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, this is a personal and deeply human tragedy. It is also, for many, a profoundly dislocating event in practical terms.

As members of the higher education community, we are in a unique position to understand the importance of education in building - and rebuilding - lives. I have heard from campus leaders across the country whose local college and university communities wish to contribute in various ways to the national relief effort. I know that many of you have already established your own scholarship or tuition-remission programs, but I also wanted to make you aware of a national effort by higher education to ensure the educational futures of victims of this tragedy.

At the request of some of our members, we in the higher education community have been helping to establish The September 11 College Fund. It will be administered by the Minnesota-based Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) as a part of its "Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund." Harvard University has contributed $1 million dollars to launch the effort and the American Council on Education will help publicize it. The money donated to this fund will provide assistance, based on need, to cover higher education expenses for dependents and survivors of those lost in the recent terrorist attacks at the institution of their choice. One hundred percent of donated funds will go directly to the students - none of the principal will be used for administrative expenses. This national scholarship fund is unique because it has been established by higher education as a way for faculty, staff and students at U.S. colleges and universities to assist in family relief efforts.

I hope you will consider The September 11 College Fund among your campus plans for helping those whose lives were changed forever by this terrible tragedy. Individual donations may be sent directly by individuals on your campuses to the

CSFA, as noted below, or they may be collected locally and forwarded together to the CSFA. All donations are tax deductible and will be individually acknowledged by the CSFA.

However your campus responds in this time of national need, know that your efforts are greatly appreciated, and remind the nation of our mission of service.

To Make a Donation:

Phone: Call 1-877-862-0136 with your credit card available, and designate "September 11 College Fund"

Check: Make payable to the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, designating "September 11 College Fund," and mail to Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, 1505 Riverview Road, P.O. Box 297, St. Peter, Minnesota 56082.

To date ( 4 Oct , 2001 ) we have been cautious in our approach to joining in the condemnation of Osama bin Laden . Today this changed when Pakistan accepted the US case against him . He and his organisation are now our enemies .

It now appears ( 10 Oct , 2001 ) that some sense of proportion is entering the ongoing military operation , as seen by the relatively low level of force being employed . It is encouraging to see an increasing realisation that the only conventional ground force that can be successful in the longer term will be Arabic .

Moderation is the only way to destroy bin Laden in a way that will not bring about clones . Please remember that the destruction of this threat is our aim , not political point scoring .

It is also worth remembering the lessons learnt from the aftermath of the establishment of puppet states in the past .

Please bear in mind that the question of a Palestinian State and the security of Israel underlies this conflict . The hard reality of this dispute is that the Israelis MUST withdraw from the Occupied Territories , the Palestinians MUST acknowledge the right of Israel to exist and immediately cease all hostilities . Much of the area is sacred to Muslim , Jew and Christian .

( 11 Oct , 2001 ) Various public events ( The Emmys and Australian football team tours of England , for example ) may be cancelled because of these attacks . Without being reckless , this should not happen . Life must go on . If it does not and we cower before the bin Ladens of this world , they win .

Even at the height of the WW II German air attack upon Britain , the Royal Family and Prime Minister were out amongst the rubble in the streets . A decade later we saw the determination of the first black children to enter white schools in the Southern USA .

Previously we have referred to this not being a religious conflict and we must resist all of bin Laden's attempts to turn it into one . Our Post Office Box is across the road from one of the Roman Catholic Church's Australian sacred sites , a site visited by the Pope on his recent Tour . Last night a service was held there , attended by the leaders of all religious faiths . Without hesitation or reservation Bin Laden and his actions were condemned .

Anniversaries can be depressing , given the closeness of events in this case . But still the passing of the first month is part of the recovery process .

Physically , the Pentagon is being rebuilt . We strongly feel that the World Trade Center should be rebuilt to the same general design as before but with an extra level in each building to house living museums dealing with these attacks .

Emotionally , the initial feeling of anger is still there , stronger than before . This feeling continues to spill over into a desire for revenge , which is neither useful or helpful .

Despite earlier misgivings about many of the Bush Administrations decisions , we only have praise for the way this situation has been handled .

We have been impressed by the speed and determination of the rest of the world to join with the U.S. to stop this terrorism .

We also note that the mainstream media is starting to look at some of the longer term issues involved in this conflict . This can only be good as the first step to resolving conflict is to understand the issues .

The media war is increasing , as was to be expected . The nationalistic fervour now present in the USA could well be counterproductive , as it puts more pressure for a " quick fix " . A problem which has evolved over centauries and many generations can not be repaired in days .

The old saying about not being able to make an omelette without breaking eggs is appropriate . Innocents are going to be hurt and killed . This makes for good media , but we must have the stomach to see it through . The only sensible way to stop this " war " is to bring about a stable and fair world political and economic system .

For many reasons the present administration in Afghanistan should go , but it must be replaced with a stable AND POPULAR alternative . It is wise to listen to what the Government of Pakistan has to say on this subject .

The lack of a clear Military Aim for present operations is of great
concern , it is the road to disaster .

Now is the time to beware of those who would use these events for their own purposes , especially politicians and the media . Remember , in the time to come , those who have exploited these matters .

" Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary
Safety , deserve neither Liberty nor Safety . "

( 14 November , 2001 ) Kabul has been captured . The combination of US close air support and local forces is irresistible .

Osama bin Laden made a fatal error on 11 September , not only did he kill thousands but he signed his own death warrant and those for possibly tens of thousands of his supporters . He has brought down the government of Afghanistan and put the cause of Islam back many years .

The effects of 11 September even had an effect on last weekend's Australian election .

( 15 November , 2001 ) Unfortunately the next weeks may bring bloody hand to hand fighting along with rape and pillage . As in the case of Timor , the world and the United Nations have not made the necessary preparations to step in now to stop this from happening . Images of this disaster will be seen , there are television crews in Afghanistan , the same crews which have just brought us images of joy on the faces of the residents of Kabul .

It is worth noting that , for many years , " Western " intelligence agencies have scaled down their intelligence gathering operations in this area of the world .

For example , the CIA is now recruiting Arabic speaking interpreters and agents ! The rationale was that electronic eavesdropping would be sufficient .

Just as , in the case of military operations , air power can not be relied upon to win the battle without having troops on the ground , so intelligence must be collected on the ground . This planning deficiency is causing most of the present communication problems with the local Afghani forces . Any local agent would have advised that the Northern Alliance would not stop short of Kabul , etc .

( 30 November , 2001 ) The end of the month and the end of the Taliban is in sight . They will not be missed . The new government in Afghanistan must be representative and fair , otherwise all that has happened is the restarting of the Civil War which ended in 1996 . Despite their atrocities , the Taliban brought a type of internal stability . If the country is unstable at the end of all of this bloodshed , not much will have been achieved .
Their can be no stability if the war crimes of this month are not dealt with .
There is a moral law which applies to War as stated at Nuremberg after WW II . No country can disregard this law without loosing their moral authority .

What is being proposed in the US has shades of the Inquisition and the Star Chamber and is based on some of the assumptions used in the failed
" War on Drugs " i.e. the use of conspiracy charges . These changes run against basic rights set out in the Declaration of Independence , the Bill of Rights and the Constitution . The American founding fathers did not lightly settle on these words .

What is more disturbing is the effect upon world opinion , in particular in the Islamic countries . These changes will consolidate anti American feeling in the Middle East and add to instability . Clearly this is not the way to go .

There is great danger in going beyond the limited aim of destroying Bin Laden and his organisation . If they are gone we all are safer , but to embark on this sort of global program verges on the reckless and will split whatever coalition of nations that now exists .

( 16 May , 2002 ) Now that information has become public knowledge ( which could not be referred to here before ) , in particular the FBI Minute from Phoenix and the White House Briefing about the threat which mentioned both al-Qa'ida and the World Trade Center by name , it is worth asking what else is being withheld and why .

Initially most information relating to the attack had a degree of security attached to it and was withheld , but now it is more a case of maintaining public support for a Defence budget and a " War on Terrorism " of indefinite objectives . It is also about hiding almost criminal incompetence , even with shades of Pearl Harbor , present in the government .

We would urge all Americans to insure , by calling Congressmen and Senators , that a full public inquiry is made both into the intelligence failure and the failure to quickly destroy al-Qa'ida using information which was available on the ground in Afghanistan in September / October 2001 .

CLINTON AND DOLE TO CHAIR $100 MILLION CAMPAIGN FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO BENEFIT FAMILIES OF ATTACK VICTIMS

Letter from the President of the American Council on Education

To Make a Donation: