[Marxism] Radio Havana Cuba calls for "Unity Against all Terrorists"

["Walter Lippmann" <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

(A solid, principled approach to terrorism.
Thoughtful, caring and human, and in light 
of the terror bombings in Spain a broad 
and appropriately generalized anti-terror
policy is indicated by Radio Havana here.)
===========================================

Unity Against all Terrorists
RADIO HAVANA CUBA
13 March 2004

The attack against the Madrid rail system will scar Spain
and the world, just as the events of the 11th of September
2001 left deep imprints on United States and the rest of
the planet.

But unfortunately, the tragic events in the latter
instance, as abominable and unjustified as those in Spain,
did not generate the lessons that, if well applied, would
move the world leaders to unite against all forms of
terrorism.

With the suffering and the rage caused by the deaths of
nearly 200 innocent people and the close to 1,500 wounded,
which have so overwhelmed the Spanish people and people
around the world, it is time to ask ourselves whether the
strategy adopted by the richest, most well-armed countries
in the face of the attacks in New York and Washington was
the best strategy.

The so-called ¨international anti-terrorist offensive,¨ led
by United States, was motivated more out of the desire for
vengeance than for achieving justice; and the invasions of
Afghanistan and Iraq did not produce the desired effect of
eradicating terrorism, as Washington expected. Both
Afghanistan and Iraq remain unstable and, with the added
weight of occupation, hatred is being stirred up, and
extreme responses provoked, which are of course just as
unjustifiable as the destabilizing and criminal actions of
the west.

The Spanish people are living a moment of fright and need
the solidarity of other peoples and their condemnation of
those who committed these crimes. But under these
unfortunate circumstances, it is necessary to also keep in
mind the many other victims of terrorism.

Because, although the media in the west tend to identify
terrorists with the Islamic world, in a display that is as
over-generalized as it is inexact, it is important to note
that there are many criminals and murderers with no
relationship at all to the Muslim world who continue to
move around in the world with absolute freedom.

Cuba is well aware of these people because its security
services have identified many of them as perpetrators of
attacks against Cuban political leaders, fishermen,
diplomats, teachers and even tourists visiting the island.

Protected by ultra-right wing organizations in Miami with
the right connections in successive U.S. administrations,
some of these terrorists continue to lead an easy life.

As we mourn the innocent victims in Spain and recall those
who have died in Cuba, and those in the United States on
September 11th, it is fitting to remember that there are no
good or bad terrorists, because all of them are absolutely
hateful.

The families of the victims have the right to know - in the
midst of their suffering and sense of helplessness - who
commit such terrorist acts that occur in any part of the
planet, Spain included of course.

And they are also entitled to judge the guilty after they
have been identified.

But the appropriate response should not lie in unilateral,
military actions that spark regional conflicts that in turn
increase instability and generate desperate and horrifying
responses.



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