Lessons from London: Solution to Terrorism is Understand Root Cause
World Journal, Editorial, Compiled and translated by Eugenia Chien, Posted: Jul 12, 2005
London’s terrorist attacks reported more than 700 injured and dead. The chaos that ensued after the attack reminds us of 9/11 in 2001. Every country in the world felt an imminent threat, most tellingly America, where every major city was on high alert.
The terrorist attack in London came at a sensitive time when the G8 summit was in session in Scotland. Although the “Secret Organization of Al Qaeda in Europe” has claimed responsibility on their website for the attacks, no one knows for sure. But no matter which organization is the culprit, a senseless act of terror must be punished seriously. Using a powerful explosive in an area with heavy traffic and targeting innocent civilians is a cowardly, cruel act.
Perhaps the terrorists are protesting the close ties between the United States and Britain, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, or even world poverty. But a noble cause cannot be achieved by cold-blooded murder. Hate only creates more hatred --- these terrorist acts will attract more grave consequences.
A bomb causes momentary shock and panic, but in the long term, it will encourage even more antagonism toward Muslims. One needs to look no further than the post-9/11 reaction to prove this point. Meanwhile, these terrorist acts give every government an excuse to beef up anti-terrorism budgets. The rights of ordinary citizens could certainly be trampled in the process.
In the name of national security, the international community has taken on a defensive attitude, tightly preventing terrorism and severely punishing terrorists who are caught. This only makes the existing ideological, political, and cultural differences even deeper. We are only dulling the symptom and not curing the causes of terrorism: hatred and misunderstanding.
In recent years, there are more and more summits of world leaders for all manners of reasons and occasions. But realistically, these summits accomplish more public relations than actual solutions. Police were diverted to last week’s G8 summit and might have left the door open for terrorists.
At least, last week’s G8 meeting produced a $400 million aid package to African and Latin American countries. This could appease terrorists, if only just for a while.
Terrorism is unacceptable; terrorists should be duly punished. In the meantime, the real solution to stopping terrorism lies in the root cause of terrorism. We need to identify the cause of terrorism, encourage compassion and cooperation, not simply fight back.
Related Stories:
London Bombings Show 'Cold War' Within Islamic Forces
Arab Media Condemn Attacks -- Warn No Place Immune From Terrorists
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