All the talk around the world is about day before yesterday's attack on
the US. The planning and execution of the terrorists is really spine chilling. For once, the US itself has come under a devastating
attack. It is a new experience for them. No terrorist assault has been perpetrated with such fool-proof planning and clinical
precision. And with it, a new chapter in the history of terrorism has been opened. The thought of what lies ahead (like use
of passenger aircraft as weapons) is shuddering.
I only wish the US took the warnings regarding the dangers of Taliban (and
more generally Islamic fundamentalism) much more seriously, when not only India became a victim (Khandar hijack), but US itself
became a victim, not once but many times. It is still not too late for the US.
When in December 1999, an Indian Airlines plane was hijacked, some of its
passengers killed and at the end of it all, the criminals walked off to Pakistan, for the great guardian of world peace and
democracy, it was no issue at all. Now, the US for the first time has realised what terrorism is, and what a way to experience
it.
It is easy to be wise after the event. Nevertheless, lessons have to be
learnt. True, the US is a military and economic might. True, the US has always rushed to the help of many nations, especially
in Europe, when attacked. True, the US has most generously disbursed humanitarian aid worldwide at times of crises. But, the
same US has always fallen short of looking beyond its self-interests.
India still bleeds because of terrorism. It is a war that we have been fighting
valiantly, but it is not one which can be fought by India alone. America has made countless resolutions on the need to exorcise
terrorism from this world. But it never felt the need stand up to its reputation as a global power to stamp out (what it has
now realised as) the "evil" from Pakistan. Because it thought cross-border terrorism affects only India. Little did it heed
to warnings that this so-called jihad has many variants, (in retrospect) even one that can blow up the famed World Trade Centre.
In fact, the US has been a victim, albeit in smaller scales -- earlier
blast in WTC itself, the attck on USS Cole and the attack on its embassies in Africa. And somehow, America has thought
that terrorism is always somewhere else and its victims are someone else. When Osama bin Laden vowed to destroy America, instead
of getting down to make a prudent and judicious assessement, America was overwhelmed by its pride and complacency.
As world's only superpower, America needs to be more responsible. There
is more to this world than America's self-interest. Security and peace of mind can't be bought with dollars.
It is still not too late for Bush and his administration to wake up; wake
up not only to the dangers of terrorism but also to why there is terrorism in the first place. This is not to justify terrorism.
No problem is solved through terror. But, with some foresight world leaders can prevent these horrific acts, by looking for
early symptoms and acting to nip them, then and there. It is easier said than done, but a beginning can always be made.
