Challenges ahead for alliance

Challenges ahead for alliance

The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore

The United Nations Security Council, of which Singapore is a member, unanimously adopted a resolution last Friday obliging all its 189 member-states to combat terrorism.

It urged nations to crack down on the financing, training and movement of terrorists; cooperate with others in exchanging information; suppress the recruitment of terrorists; criminalize activities that support them; and deny them, as well as those who finance, plan or facilitate their activities, safe haven. Passed only a day after it was introduced, the resolution's scope demonstrates the international community's new-found unity and resolution in fighting terrorism.

The message cannot be any louder or clearer: this is by no means just a battle between the United States and Osama bin Laden, the suspected terrorist mastermind. It is, unequivocally, a battle to rid the world of the scourge of terrorism, mandated by international law and backed by international opinion.

Regionally, within ASEAN, it should lead to closer cooperation on intelligence matters to combat groups bent on carnage or the violent overthrow of legitimately-elected governments; and globally, it will provide the U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition with moral backing to strike at targets in Afghanistan, if necessary, and to press other state sponsors of terrorists to roll up networks in their midst.

The resolution did not expressly authorize the use of force. Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for the right to self- defense, already provides the U.S. and its allies with sufficient grounds to act militarily, if they so choose.

Still, the fact that they have not so far acted precipitously, striking out merely for revenge, is not insignificant, for it has strengthened the coalition in world opinion. Contrary to fears that the Bush administration might engage in a wasteful ground war in Afghanistan, it has conducted its "war on terrorism" in a deliberate and concerted fashion.

It has focused on improving internal security, beefing up law- enforcement agencies and amending laws that make it difficult to police terrorists. It has moved to freeze the bank accounts of known terrorist groups and their supporters. And it has embarked on a wide-ranging diplomatic effort, to strengthen the coalition as well as to draw countries like Iran, Syria and Sudan, hitherto tolerant of a variety of terror networks, into the multi-nation alliance.

In a significant step taken Wednesday that will strengthen the hand of moderate Arab leaders in their efforts to win over public opinion, U.S. President George W. Bush declared his support for the creation of a Palestinian state, the first time a Republican administration has done so.

Sooner or later, once they have credible intelligence on the whereabouts of Osama, the U.S. and its allies will strike militarily. Russia and the U.S. have also decided to support the Alliance, a coalition of anti-Taliban forces, but this is risky.

Actually trying to overthrow the Taliban may involve the coalition in an effort with no clear exit strategy.

What is going to be put in its place? How viable would a successor government be? Is the coalition prepared to expend resources to shore it up? These are questions Bush will have to ponder as he fashions a strategy that has thus far won widespread international support.