Anti-americans everywhere

[barbara100 at jps.net]

Here are a few things America can do, Jasper.  I'd like to extend your question a little, though, and ask what can we (everyday folks) do to get our government to do it?



By Derek Bishop (counterpunch.org)

      If we want to root out terrorism, then
      we have to display a leadership that extends beyond our narrow
      economic and military interests.</FONT></P>

      We funneled billions in military
      aid to both Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden when it suited
      US policy to do so.  The stark truth of the matter is that these
      two men are creatures of US policy.</FONT></P>

      During the waning years of
      the Cold War we supported Hussein in an effort to contain a                  Soviet-backed Iran.  Reflecting shifting US policy, in the more recent       Gulf War we encouraged Iraqi citizens to rise up against Hussein.
      But as soon as Saddam's army surrendered, and the westward flow
      of oil from Kuwait was no longer threatened, the war ended. 
      We stood by idly as Hussein slaughtered 1000s of pro-democracy
      Iraqis.  If it was important enough for us to wage war against
      Iraq, it should have been just as important to install a peace-keeping
      force to ensure that its nascent democracy took hold.  The result
      is that Hussein, who is a supporter of bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist
      network, is gaining power by the day.<BR>
       <BR>
      A related issue is the US's shameful medical embargo against
      Iraq, which has done nothing to hinder Hussein's rule of the
      area, and has killed 1000s of innocent civilians. Far more have
      died from our purposeful destruction of the Iraqi water supply,
      an act violating the Geneva Convention. The UN estimates that
      500,00 Iraqi children have perished as a result of US actions
      and sanctions, with an additional 5,000 dying each month.</FONT></P>

      Osama bin Laden, another Cold
      War creation, was supported and trained by the US to repel the
      Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.  Billions of US dollars
      went to the Afghan Mujahiddeen, a group of Islamic fundamentalist
      holy warriors.  When the Soviets withdrew, the US did nothing
      to assist the more moderate and tolerant faction within Afghanistan.
      The result was that the repressive Taliban regime took over.
      It was not until 1998 that Unocal, under pressure following
      the US embassy bombings in Africa, pulled out of its Afghan oil
      pipeline scheme.  Earlier this year the US sent $45 million to
      the Taliban to help fight its production of opium ­ which
      was a poor decision, given that opium is the Taliban's greatest
      export, second only to terrorism.<BR>
          <BR>
      The greatest act of terrorism in modern Middle Eastern history
      occurred nineteen years ago, in a three-day orgy of rape and
      murder, when Israel and its Phalangist militia allies killed
      1700 Palestinian civilians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps.
      This followed an Israeli invasion of Lebanon that killed nearly
      18,000 Lebanese and Palestinians ­ almost all of whom were
      innocent civilians.  The US, of course, backed this act, and
      provided Israel with the Apache helicopters and Boeing air to
      ground missiles to get the job done.  Israel continues to use
      US weapons on Palestinian civilians. Israel and US policy are
      in violation of UN resolutions calling for Israel's withdrawal
      from Gaza and the West Bank.  The US and Britain are the only
      countries supporting Israel's state sponsored terrorism against
      the Palestinians.</FONT></P>

      In my view, there are only
      two options for the US to pursue.  Option 1 is to mount an all-out
      war on terrorism.  This, however, is doomed to failure. Witness
      Russian military advisers who tell the US that a battle in Afghanistan
      will make Vietnam look like a picnic.  More war will further
      radicalize an already desperate people, and destablize an already
      precarious region.  More war will not redress, let alone acknowledge,
      the many wrongs in the Mid East for which the US is responsible.
       Afghanistan is already laid low.  A more wretched country you'll
      be hard pressed to find.</FONT></P>

      Option 2 is a non-military
      option.  It involves seeking justice through the International
      Court, collaboration with international financial institutions
      to freeze the flow of money that funds terrorism, and a redress,
      for starters, of Palestinian grievances.  The US's blatantly
      biased support of Israel's war against the Palestinian and Lebanese
      people has created the fever pitch of anger we now find in radical
      Islam.  After considerable study in this area, I feel that the
      silver bullet to the resolution of our Mid East problems would
      be forcing Israel to withdraw to its pre-1967 borders: A complete
      withdrawal from Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.  This
      would be in accord with international consensus, via the UN,
      that Israel is illegally occupying these lands.  If this can
      be accomplished, much of the basis for the anger that drives
      terrorism will be removed.</FONT></P>

      The result of a non-military
      approach could be miraculous. Let us see what some honesty and
      a turning of the other cheek might accomplish.</FONT></P>

      And, if it doesn't work ­
      if it doesn't curb terrorism -- then the US could always fall
      back on its military might, re-installing an Israeli state 1000
      miles across if we chose to do so.</FONT></P>

      Mario Cuomo, New York's governor,
      has spoken eloquently regarding the horrible events of September
      11 as NOT being a Pearl Harbor.  It was an act of terrorism,
      NOT an act of war.</FONT></P>

      If the US succumbs to its fears,
      gives up its cherished civil liberties, becomes a more closed
      society, and refuses to acknowledge that the vast majority of
      Islam (and there are many denominations of Islam) does NOT support
      terrorism, the world ­ OUR world ­ will become a yet
      more sorrowful and fearful place.</FONT></P>

      Make no mistake about it: The
      terrorism of September 11 was a horrible, despicable, unconscionable
      act.  But more bloodshed through a US war effort is neither morally
      nor politically right.    >Derek Bishop<