The U.S. must be rational

Like most ordinary citizens today, I cannot help but be confused about where religion ends and politics begin, or vice- versa. I believe that the U.S. capitalist system, or the liberal system if you will, as manifested in the twin towers of the World Trade Center, though devastated following the Sept. 11 attack, is actually indestructible in spirit. Sooner or later it will rise again from the dust and the victims will have died in vain, so to speak.

To capture Osama bin Laden (the man believed to be the mastermind behind the Sept. 11 attacks) and occupy Afghanistan is an easy job for the mighty U.S. military war machine. But will the war against international and national terrorism be won that way in the long run? It is more essential to also prove that terrorism is religiously and politically wrong and sinful. And this is the duty for all of mankind. But first we should understand the reasoning behind the terrorists' acts and what their ultimate objectives and motives were.

The U.S. should refrain from making conditions worse by sending its troops and airplanes to destroy its infrastructure and kill more innocent people by accident.

The world, and not the least the United Nations, has the right to know what the U.S. intelligence are expecting: where the next targets will be and if the terrorists are still intent on continuing their devilish undertakings. When and where are they expected to strike is something everybody wants to know.

Meanwhile, religious leaders should stress the basic religious teachings that innocent people should not fall victim to violent actions either by government groups or international organizations for whatever the objectives.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta