Pioneer Editorial: Clear and Present Danger

August 2, 2004. Interesting thoughts on Semitic fundamentalism on both sides. I don't necessarily agree with the author's perspective which seems to be: "christist-islamist fundamentalism equal-equal" but they do have a lot of parallels. Exclusivist paranoia, for one. Violent and partisan ideologies, for another.

 

Clear and present danger

VK Grover The two best selling publications in the United States today are the 9/11 Commission Report and a book called Glorious Appearing, which has sold over 60 million copies. These are bestsellers for different reasons; however, the two are interconnected.

As far as the 9/11 Commission Report is concerned, the US public, paranoid as it is about terrorist attacks on its soil, wants to know what went wrong and how any such incidents can be prevented in the future. In the Glorious Appearing, a work of fiction, Jesus once again returns to earth to demolish all non-Christians in a somewhat brutal fashion. The volume of sales shows the rising tide of Christian fundamentalism in the United States as a direct result of 9/11.

The report clearly brings out that there was no connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda, and that Iraq had no hand in 9/11. However, the report does disclose that Iran provided support to Al Qaeda, including some 9/11 hijackers. Therefore, although one has written several times on the subject, it is now very clear that there was no reason for the United States to attack Iraq because of 9/11. We all have to face the adverse collateral effects of the war on Iraq. The recent hostage crisis, involving three Indian nationals, is a direct result of the situation created by the Americans in Iraq.

One must give full credit to the External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh for taking prompt action. His deft handling of the crisis when he was in Pakistan, by appealing for their release on Al-Jazeera television network, was the right move. The setting up of the crisis management cell in the Ministry of External Affairs, and reassuring the Indian public that everything possible was being done, showed the experience and wisdom of the Minister. The Ministry of External Affairs has also decided to send Mr Talmiz Ahmed, an experienced diplomat, to Kuwait and Baghdad to assist in the negotiations. One can only hope that the crisis is resolved and the hostages are released.

President George W Bush has always maintained that Iraq has been the "central front" in the war on terror. The 9/11 Commission report treats this with silence. Instead, it warns of what could happen if the American experiment in Iraq does not succeed: "If, for example, Iraq becomes a failed state, it will go to the top of the list of places that are breeding grounds for attacks against Americans at home."

The 9/11 Commission does not spare Pakistan for its involvement - particularly that of the ISI - in extending support to several terrorist outfits as also Pakistan's collaboration with the Taliban, and the coordination of activities between the Taliban with Osama bin Laden. The report decries Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf's claim, of being unaware of Pakistan's transfer of nuclear technology to Libya, North Korea and Iran.

However, the report supports General Musharraf's attempt to ally with the United States on the war on global terrorism and recommends higher economic and military assistance for Pakistan. Unfortunately, the Commission report does not fault the Bush Administration for attacking Iraq instead of going after the real culprits involved in 9/11, namely Osama bin Laden and his henchmen.

The real gap in the report is about Saudi Arabia, which it calls "a problematic ally in combating Islamic extremism". The Commission exonerates the Saudi Government and senior Saudi officials stating that they did not finance Al Qaeda. It does say wealthy Saudi sympathisers and leading Saudi charities sent money to Osama bin Laden's terrorist outfit.

It is now well known that on September 13, 2001, a private jet flew from Tampa, Florida, to Lexington, Kentucky, before leaving the United States the same day. On board were members of the bin Laden family and a Saudi Arabian prince. The same prince's name came up during the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, a top Al Qaeda official captured in September 2001 by the Americans. It has also not been made clear as to who cleared the flight on September 13, 2001. It is known there was a meeting the same day between President Bush and the Saudi Ambassador to the United States.

I think one of the most important statements in the Commission's report is on the rise of Islamic radicalism. It says, "The problem is that Al Qaeda represents an ideological movement, not a finite group of people. It initiates and inspires, even if it no longer directs. Yet the killing or capturing of Osama, while extremely important, would not end terror. His message of inspiration to a new generation of terrorists would continue."

It is said that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In the United States, it seems the forces of Christian fundamentalism have been considerably strengthened by 9/11. The volume of sales of the book Glorious Appearing, and two or three other books on the same theme, are testimony to this phenomenon. Just as 9/11 seemed to have threatened the Christian civilisation from Islamic fundamentalists, the attack on Iraq has united the Muslim populations worldwide (not necessarily Islamic governments as many still have close ties with the West and the United States).

In addition, the Islamic jihadi outfits have all joined hands as they consider the US their main threat and enemy number one. The Islamic fundamentalist and terrorist groups find the United States a soft target in Iraq (over 900 US soldiers have died since the American takeover).

The rise of Christian fundamentalism in the United States and some countries in the West, and the cementing of ties between the Islamic fundamentalists, presents a clear danger to the world. This battle can escalate with each action inviting some form of retaliation. Therefore, there is need to expose the Islamic populations to values that are more meaningful than those espoused by the jihadis.

This would entail greater economic development and political openness in Islamic countries. The US also has to follow more realistic policies towards Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia instead of turning a blind eye towards realities for short-term gain.

The need of the hour is for sensible Islamic governments to enlist the support of respected spiritual and secular leaders to coordinate their efforts in the Islamic world. The US also needs to do a good deal of introspection to curb the excessive influence of its neo-conservatives and Christian fundamentalists.