A reflective day

On this day, Sept. 11, the American people and millions of others around the globe recall the tragic death of about 3,000 innocent victims when two planes smashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, New York City, exactly two years ago. For the world's sole superpower, however, the catastrophe was so barbaric and humiliating that the trauma is likely to haunt the American nation for a very long time to come.

However, although a sense of anger, frustration and desperation understandably still mark this year's commemoration, this time the American people and government are expected to be more reflective about the al-Qaeda terrorist attacks. Introspection and questions such as, "What is so wrong with us that we are so hated by other people?" do not seem improper this time.

In the wording of the news agency AFP, the U.S. response to the events in New York and Washington two years ago antagonized Muslims around the world, many of whom feel that they have been unfairly singled out. There is also the fear that, unless it is carefully managed, the war against terrorism is likely to be perceived in the Islamic world as a crusade against them.

We would like to make it very clear from the outset that we strongly condemn the terrorist attacks, as well as other acts of terrorism for any reason. We are of the opinion that those responsible for the bloodbath should be brought to justice. Indonesia has also suffered from acts of terrorism. Bali was bombed on Oct. 12 last year, leaving 200 people dead. JW Marriott hotel, Jakarta, was bombed last month. Those two attacks have damaged this country's already stagnant economy and have tarnished its image.

However, we are also of the opinion that in fighting terrorism, the roots -- not just the symptoms -- must first be identified if we want to find an effective medicine for the disease.

Shortly after Sept. 11, with UN approval, U.S.-led forces invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban regime, the strongest supporter of al-Qaeda leader bin Laden. However, as of now bin Laden is still believed to be alive. Then the U.S. invaded Iraq as part of President George Bush's antiterrorism drive. But the invasion of Iraq appears to be backfiring as U.S. forces have failed to stop guerrilla attacks on them and more and more Americans question the moral justification of the "conquest."

The U.S. is at present the only superpower in the world, both in terms of economy and military might. It sees itself as the global policeman in charge of maintaining security and order in the world, and can therefore act arbitrarily to satisfy U.S. interests.

Washington is allowing the Israelis to act as they think fit against the Palestinian people, who are struggling for their independence. There seems to be no hope that the U.S. will be able to pressure the Israelis to give the Palestinians back their rights. Washington also backs authoritarian regimes in the Middle East while rebuking dictators in other parts of the globe, telling them that democracy is an absolute necessity for their respective nations.

Observe also how the U.S. and other Western countries refuse to abolish subsidies for farmers during this week's World Trade Organization meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Meanwhile, with no shame, developing countries are bullied to open their markets to heavily subsidized farm products from the West.

Of course, the Bush administration has the right to claim that it has achieved tremendous progress in finding the terrorists, most of whom are Muslims. But, so far, President Bush is not only far from rooting out terrorist networks and getting to the core of the problem; he has triggered the emergence of more terrorists in the world. Those who do not like the U.S. now jeer, "Who is the real terrorist?"

The U.S. alone will not be able to eradicate terrorism. It must work hand in hand with other nations around the globe to combat this global scourge. But how can the U.S. persuade other nations to join its antiterrorism drive when they can so easily put a finger on U.S. arbitrary actions? It seems that, for the present at least, the Bush administration has its hands so full with fighting its own battles against its enemies that it has no time to reflect on the fact that other nations also have a right to exist on this planet.