TERRORIST OR FREEDOM FIGHTER ?
This weeks bombings in Baghdad and Jerusalem typify the apparent hopelessness and stupidity which exists in the Middle East . This is not a new phenomenon . Be it because of location on the old East / West trade routes , oil or magnetic disturbance lines etc . , the area is inherently unstable .
A worthwhile background is contained in the CLASH OF FUNDAMENTALISMS . Some more notes are on our MIDDLE EAST page . If this page does nothing other than make the reader see the present terrorist problem as one which was born in the Middle East and is the result of centuries , if not millennia of history , it has been worthwhile . Aeroplanes flying into buildings in New York are a result of these causes . *
Historically terrorism , in the sense of striking terror into an enemy , has occurred for thousands of years . It is not that bad a way to settle matters as battles may be either avoided or won with minimal loss of life . ( The Maoris of New Zealand use war dances to frighten their opponents . )
In America , American Indians successfully terrorised both the British and settlers during the French and Indian War . Generally the labeling of a person or movement as being a terrorist depended on your point of view . The fact that criminal acts were being committed did not matter so much , particularly if you won .
Ironically , modern terrorism started with the KING DAVID HOTEL BOMBING in 1946 , it was justified as an legitimate act to bring about political change .
To say the least , the creation of the state of Israel was not very well thought out . Israel should have been given defendable borders and the Palestinians should have been compensated for their loss of land and allowed an opportunity to resettle . Border areas should have been initially controlled by the United Nations .
As far as we can see , since the creation of Israel , both sides have been thugs and murderers .This situation and anti Western sentiment has led to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism which has been proselytised through madrasas set up in the area , North Africa , the Indian sub continent and South East Asia . Many current graduates are now " terrorists " . Clearly moderate Islamists have failed to stop this growth , as have the Islamic states .
Until the lot of the Palestinians is improved terrorism will continue , justified or not .
Britain , America and Australia , amongst others have been involved in the area and not necessarily with much glory . ( If can find it , read " The Desert Generals " by Correlli Barnett for a strategic background to WW II . ) America's absolute support of Israel and turning a blind eye to it's possession of weapons of mass destruction and the treatment of Palestinians under it's control exacerbates the situation .
Israel has a right to exist and defend itself but not by denying the rights of others and the illegal occupation of land .
During the Six Day War between Israel and the Arab States , the American intelligence ship USS Liberty was attacked for 75 minutes in international waters by Israeli aircraft and motor torpedo boats . Thirty-four men died and 172 were wounded .
............... The Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to the ship's Captain . "
............................ USS LIBERTY
( It has been suggested that the reason for the attack was to bring America into the war by blaming the Egyptians . Indeed the USS America had launched two bombers , carrying nuclear weapons , to attack Cairo , the Egyptian capital . Fortunately these were recalled by the then Defense Secretary , McNamara * . The Liberty was an electronic surveillance ship and had been within 14 miles of the location of the concurrent murder of a reported 1000 Egyptian Prisoners of War .
............ Source : BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION )
* If the DoD link does not work , CLICK HERE for our copy of Google's cached copy .
America has the right to defend Israel , as an ally . Once it goes beyond this it is no longer an honest broker .
Appeasement of terrorists , especially in Europe , during the 1970's was a mistake .
The American , British and Australian Governments have knowingly deceived their citizens over both the so called " War on Terrorism " and the invasion of Iraq . The intelligence communities of all three countries have been comprised by political pressure to the point where security is put at risk . ( See the TRUTH page for more on this subject . )
Because Iraq was attacked without a United Nations mandate and poor post hostility planning , the security situation is unstable at best . Every ratbag with a grudge against the West will be on their way there . . Attacks , such as that which caused this page to be written , will continue and most likely become worse . The " Coalition of the Willing " must take the hits and support the establishment of a stable government . It it cuts and runs , as in Afghanistan , the only legacy will be yet another terrorist breeding ground .
Undermining the United Nations and not recognising the International Criminal Court are very shortsighted actions .
911 had little to do with Iraq , and what is worse is that significant resources have been diverted from capturing those responsible for other terrorist atrocities .
Why is there not much about " Freedom Fighters " here ? The answer is simple , unless those who engage in these activities have a legitimate higher purpose and act within a certain ethical framework , they are thugs and murderers . No amount of spin doctoring and rewriting of history can change this fact .
This is not to say that a level of violence and civil disobedience is unacceptable . The pro democracy movement in Burma is an example .
Waging Modern War : Bosnia,
Kosovo, and the Future of Combat
"This is the worst president ever. He's the worst president in all of American history." ...... quote from Society of Professional Journalists gathering in Los Angeles re G. W. Bush
Fortunate Son : George W. Bush and the Making of an American President
Speech by Lee Kwan Yew, Senior Minister, Republic of Singapore
TRUTH , LIES AND U.S. , UK AND AUS INTEL
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This page was last updated : Tuesday, 14 October 2003
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2003 SPANKOZ AUSTRALIA / SILVERSTREAM MARKETING
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