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Clarity, the need

United States declaration of war on global terrorism following the apocalyptic terrorist attack on Washington and New York on September 11 seems to have confounded certain people, including those in the media as regards the nature of terrorism faced by us in Sri Lanka and the immediate priorities in solving the national question.

Sihala Urumaya and like-minded people have been quick to call upon the United States to take upon the task of militarily eliminating the LTTE as part of its global war on terrorism.

Right now, the priority of the United States is to find out the actual perpetrators of the serious crime committed against it, ensure security for its people and US interests worldwide by dealing a retaliatory blow at the perpetrators.

Reports from the United States point to Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect and the Afghan Taliban as responsible for harbouring him and his Al-Qaida terror outfit.

Any US retaliatory action, hence, would target Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban.

Though this action may be questionable and reservations as to its soundness may exist among many, it is priority Number One in the US agenda.

It is naive to think that the US will take upon itself the task of eliminating the LTTE and that by doing so the US will be safe from terrorism.

What is requires is a global effort to combat terrorism by cooperation among states to mutually help each other in the fight against terrorism. This would entail the ban of terrorist front organizations throughout the world, prevention of cross-border terrorism and many similar steps.

The global war against terrorism will be long drawn. There are serious disagreements as to the nature of terrorism itself. There is also the phenomenon of state terrorism. The latter is found not only in countries with autocratic regimes but so-called democratic states to practise state terror.

As President Chandrika Bandaranaike correctly pointed out "violence, social, political or physical perpetrated by the state or the agents of the state against other states or against its own peoples has been said to be the womb of terrorism".

Thus, fight against terrorism involves the fight to root out the causes of terrorism. This would necessitate a policy change in the developed countries that for commercial and other reasons perpetuate injustices throughout the world.

Fighting LTTE terrorism is principally our task. We should, of course, enlist the cooperation of the international community, including the US in this task. Yet, it is principally our national task.

It is not possible to eliminate or contain terrorism solely by military means. Political means too are necessary.

The armed struggle of the Tamil youth and subsequent degeneration of it into terrorism arose from injustices caused to the minority ethnic communities. Unless these issues are addressed politically, terrorism will continue or rise up again, even if militarily destroyed.

We must be clear that fighting terrorism and solving the national problem are two but inter-related issues.

In addressing both issues, we must take the initiative. The international community could only assist us but cannot take over our task.

• Editorial of  The Observer - 24.9.2001:
  Fanaticism is not about money or power
  

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