FAR RIGHT MISGOVERNS : Needed: A New and Bolder Strategy For the War on Terror

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Needed: A New and Bolder Strategy For the War on Terror

Needed: A new and bolder strategy for the

War on Terror

By Ed asner and burt hall

The Bush Administration’s response to terrorism is too limited in scope to solve a global problem and has spread our military too thin. Absolutely nothing is being done to address the root causes of terrorism, which would significantly reduce the continuing threat to the United States.

Al-Qaeda has become stronger since the President redirected the war on terror to Iraq. According to a May, 2004 Associated Press report, an independent survey found al-Qaeda's ranks have swollen to 18,000 in more than 60 countries. Up to 1,000 have infiltrated Iraq. Al-Qaeda is fomenting attacks around the world. An attack this summer is expected in the United States.

A recent Asia-Pacific conference on security concluded:

· The world is losing the war on terror because we have expanded the sea of hatred and deep-seated rage in the Muslin world.

· The use of force itself can not eliminate terrorist threats.

In a NY Times article, top terrorism expert Richard Clarke contends we are headed in the wrong direction. Trying to impose democracy on an Arab country at the end of an American bayonet, he claims, was dead on arrival. To eliminate terrorism, he says, we must have the support of the moderate Muslim community.

The President’s idea that we can deal with each and every country that supports or harbors terrorists is macho and impossible to achieve. Getting rid of worldwide terrorism must be a shared responsibility, demanding leadership and cooperation from all heads of state. A global solution to a global problem is needed. This demands a more comprehensive and aggressive world-wide strategy. Essential elements (costing a fraction of war costs) are:

· Mandate, through the UN, each nation’s responsibility to remove terrorist activities in their own country and to help others do the same.

· Outlaw nuclear bomb making material, inspect all countries that might give such material to terrorists and enforce severe penalties for violations.

· Remove U.S. forces from Muslim countries and participate in peacekeeping through the UN and NATO.

· Sponsor a UN commission to identify the underlying causes of terrorism and determine remedies.

· Put as much U.S. power and prestige behind building a Palestinian state as we did in Israel.

· Make energy independence one of our nation’s highest priorities.

· Encourage religious spokesmen around the world to stress the many similarities between the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions.

The UN must declare war on terror worldwide with the full support of every member country, backed by their military power and intelligence. Each country needs a mandate to dismantle terrorism and to assist other UN countries, as needed. Any country not relentlessly pursuing terrorists or those who continue to support them would receive sanctions, be suspended from the UN, and be subject to military action. Periodically, the UN should hold meetings on progress with the heads of state.

In parallel with the UN action, the United States should sponsor a UN commission to identify fundamental changes that would reverse the root causes of organized violent behavior in the world.

We gave birth to the UN to maintain peace in the world -- it’s our baby. Instead of demeaning and undermining it, we ought to strengthen that body and help it work effectively for all.

The time for change is now, while the U.S. military is stretched thin and the UN and other countries are still recovering from their worst attacks in history. The status quo is unacceptable and endangers our national security.

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Ed Asner is a well-known movie actor and television star who has also devoted extensive time and energy to political activism. Burt Hall was a Group Director (analyst) of the U.S. General Accounting Office on national security matters and author of several articles, including “9-11 and a Lack of Presidential Leadership.” Both are board members of an umbrella movement to counteract the right. (TheRightIsWrong.US)