By: Jo-ana D'Balcazar
Is the Madrid terrorist blast a wake up call for Europe? The Madrid train bombings on March 11 reminded Europe that the war against terrorism is not only a U.S. War, but an "International War Against Terrorism," as no country is exempt of terrorism. The suspense is which country is next, Italy, Belgium, UK, France or the U.S.? Obviously, terrorism has not been placated; on the contrary, it has increased while the U.S. and its coalition vainly try to reason with terrorists and states sponsoring terrorism to give up their fight.
Bad news, no one can negotiate with Islamic terrorists who love death more than life and homicide bombings for them appear as a normal order of the day. As a group linked to Al Qaeda claimed that the bombing was a punishment for supporting policies against them. Is it time Europe to wake up and smell the coffee?
Fact is that the despicable March 11 terrorist attack is a reminder of September 11, which is the cause for the U.S. having launched the war. Most European countries have had a negative attitude against U.S. Foreign Policy, wrongly addressed as unilateral. Let us not forget that the U.S.-led war was based under UN Resolution 1441, which was unanimously approved by the 15 members of the UN Security Council, including Syria. Have they forgotten that the U.S. counts with a broad coalition in its fight against terrorism, including Spain, Italy, and Poland among others?
So, how did Europe respond to March 11? Just as in September 11, Europe united to pay tribute to the 200 innocent civilians massacred and to the over 1,500 innocent injured victims. This time, though the observing moment time was "three minute silence" throughout Europe. Yet, a "three minute silence" is not enough when after that opposition against the war on terrorism continue.
However, European Commission chief Romano Prodi contradicts himself. First, Prodi's silent solidarity and urging EU leaders to respond to the Madrid attacks by adopting concrete measures to fight terrorist to be discussed at the March-25-26 Summit meeting, sound good. Nevertheless, Prodi told the Italian newspaper "La Stampa," that it was clear that using force is not the answer to resolving the conflict with terrorists. Prodi should learn that real actions are what are needed, not mere wordings, as terrorists are not afraid of dying and not paying attention to "Western style peace negotiations."
So far, the EU has only taken some measures but not effective measures. Remember that France previously opposed to recognize Hizbollah and Hamas as terrorist groups but see them just as "militant groups." Does this mean that France supports the bombings in Israel led by Hizbollah and Hamas? Eradication should be
complete not partial. The victims do not need empty solidarity symbols, but effective anti-terrorism measures to stop the genocide. Will France and the EU, as a whole, change their position if these groups start bombing their countries, or just run for cover as Spain did and capitulate to Terrorists?
Like it or not, terrorism is gaining points, while the Bush Administration struggles without success to create an international consensus, especially in Europe, with its message that terrorism is not only an American threat but an international threat. Can terrorists now influence elections to install a government of their liking anywhere in the world? Yes, they can.
For instance, the Spanish's answer was to elect a Socialist who has committed to bring back the Spanish troops from Iraq. In other words, terrorist policy is working and being celebrated because most likely the new Spanish government will oppose to policies that go against the terrorists. Appeasement never works. Sooner or later, the snake will awake. Now, what will British PM Tony Blair and Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi, both strong U.S. allies, do? Continue to support the war against terrorism or succumb for fear as Spain?
Could you imagine what will happen if the U.S. and the coalition abandon Iraq in its current chaotic state? Yet, this is a possibility if a change happens in November and a Democratic government decides to pull the U.S. troops out. The result would be a nightmare, which no one even dares to imagine. A Mideast disaster, a
world catastrophe, and a total victory of Terrorism "alla Al-Qaida style." Does it mean that governments should oppose to policies that Al Qaeda find objectionable?
Evidence? Not only Israel is used to almost daily terrorist attacks, but now even Iraq adopted this terrorist policy, bombings are just blasting without notice, while the international community --including Europe- continue to observe the carnage. Will Iraq follow Israel's situation and struggle to survive for its own right to exist? What will Europe do if this trend of terrorist policy arrive in France, Italy, or continue in Spain? The question is why is ok for Israel to be bombarded but not for a European country or the U.S.? Will now Europe finally open its eyes seeing the carnage in their own backyard?
Why do I say so? For instance, Israel keeps experiencing genocide bombings while it is known that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will not stop terrorism because they are part of this unspeakable trend through their militant groups, such as the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigade. Ironically, the European Union still is the main financial supporter of the PA, and even the U.S. financially helps the PA. So, where is this game making sense? Either one eradicates terrorism from its roots, or terrorism will invade the passive-diplomatic and wishful thinking of the Western world to reach their goal, which is to have an extreme Islamic regime with no Israel and no democracy (freedom) at all.
Not going so far to the old continent, but terrorism is springing back in Afghanistan too. Is someone listening? The supposedly controlled area in Afghanistan is showing a resurgence of the Talibans. What happened to the liberators? Well, is not enough to just start a war and not deliver its promise of bringing stability and serious eradication of terrorism? The list goes on. On March 14 in Kabul, suspected Taliban attacked the house of a United Nations team working to register voters for Afghanistan's elections.
Simultaneously, same date- March 14, Israel suffered a double genocide bombings in the port city of Ashdod, at least 11 people were killed and around 20 injured.
Furthermore, Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf, has already escaped two suicide attacks by Talibans. Will he survive a third one? Moreover, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are still supporting terrorist groups, while the U.S. pretends to believe that they are fighting against terrorism. Point blank is that terrorism is flourishing again and challenging the Bush Administration. Perhaps the U.S. and the coalition need to get even tougher against terrorism.
Therefore, the challenge for the U.S. is not much on gaining positive public opinion, but on bringing together groups who with their actions seem to favor terrorism, such as the United Natio ns and the European Union. Issuing a symbolic call for "a solidarity silence" for the victims is not enough. What is needed is a collective determination of solidarity against terrorism and fight back to eradicate this malign cancer before it spreads to the entire world. Isn't it now time for Europe to wake up and smell the coffee? What do you think?
(Jo-ana D'Balcazar, M.A., Political Analyst in International Relations, specializes in the European Union and the Middle East Crisis. Comments to: politics2see@hotmail.com)
