US terror war killing innocent civilians

U.S. terror war 'killing innocent civilians'

Abu Dhabi |By A Staff Reporter | Gulf News 15-07-2002

The war the U.S. is waging in the name of terrorism is killing scores of innocent civilians and causing innumerable human miseries, asserted British writer and strategy expert Tariq Ali.

Speaking at Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-up yesterday, he said: "The real solutions of the problems of Palestine and Iraq do not lie in military adventurism but in peaceful resolution that takes into consideration the peaceful option and logic, and ensures the rights of people and their security."

Speaking on the subject 'Clash between Fundamentalisms', he said after the events of September 11 the U.S. administration should have revised its foreign policy in the world, and the Middle East, in particular.

Instead, the U.S. launched its war against terrorism without differentiating between the ways and results of this war.

He emphasised the double standards of the American policy.

"In spite of the great media campaign before and after the attack on Afghanistan, crushing the Taliban system does not constitute a big victory for the U.S.

The Western media that covered the military operation claimed the allied forces had complete mastery of air at a time when Afghanistan did not have any mentionable air force.

It was a war to re-map the world. "This policy of unilateral use of power encouraged other countries to follow suit," he pointed out.

Ali, an activist of 'Stop Wars', said: "Israelis exploited the events of September 11 to unleash their war on innocent Palestinians. With the blessing of the U.S. they are committing massacres. They are committing all kinds of brutal atrocities without being checked by any power."

Noting it is the first time in modern history when one empire stands unchallenged, he wondered if any power could challenge the U.S. for the sake of restoring balance in international affairs.

He considered the U.S. the cause of all fundamentalism in the world today.

Referring to American threats of war against Iraq, he said it would have serious repercussions.

"It is not for the sake of democracy that the U.S. is brandishing the sword against Iraq," he contended.

"Iraq is a large country, has a large army and is rich in oil. But it is not under the American influence - and it is the only country that has threatened Israel."

He compared the U.S. with the Roman empire, adding: "The difference is the Romans didn't expect to be loved, whereas Americans expect you to love them, in spite of what they do."

He also accused the U.S. of meddling in other countries' affairs.

Ali noted peace will remain elusive as long as the Palestinian issue is not resolved justly. "The legitimate rights should be restored to the people, and Israel should return to its 1967 borders."