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.