(This article was written and published in July of 2005 after the 7/7 bombings of the London underground which killed 52 people and injured more than 800.)
Let me state in clear and unambiguous terms that my sympathies are with the victims of the July 7th bombings of the Landon transport system.
That out of the way, let us have a look at how the UK got there. There have been myriad theories. Commentators have worked themselves into a fine frenzy. What ever the cause, one thing is clear. The UK government has changed its stance in dealing and hosting terrorist organizations and those who deal in and incite terror.
For too long now, UK has been the haven for all international terrorists and radicals. Yes, that very country that has been, for decades, fighting the IRA and experiencing the effect of terrorism right at its doorsteps, allowed itself to be the sanctuary to a hodgepodge of extremist organizations and radicals.
Are you are an organization that is inciting violence and calling for military or violent means to the overthrow of the current government? Do you wish to secede from your country and form a separate entity? Have you been involved in suicide bombings, hi-jacking and damage of communal and personal property? UK is the place for you. Their “democracy” will allow you to open offices in UK and use it as a means to collect funds and continue under the protection of the British legal system.
The LTTE, in various guises, found space and support for its offices in the UK for long. Repeated requests fell on deaf ears. While al-Qaedha itself never had formal offices in London, its’ fronts and representative did. This assertion is most clearly evidenced in the several organizations that the UK banned- finally- from operating in the UK following the 7th July bombings. More than 40. Groups that were suckled and protected.
Let’s take a look at the contenders. In this corner we have Harkat-ul-Jihd al-Islami, who has been linked to the 400 simultaneous bombings that took place all across in Bangladesh on 17th August. In that corner we have Ansar Al Islam, a known militant Kurdish organization which, US officials say, is part of the al-Qaedha network.
Radical Islamic Cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed who praised the 9/11 bombers as the “magnificent 19” organized his diatribes against all values western, from Tottenham in North London.
It is only after they were hit and wounded, that the government and the people finally woke up to the nature of the groups and people they were sheltering and nurturing. Or maybe they did know but took comfort in the hope that those guys will never harm them. O!, what an illusory and deceptive commodity hope is.
Therein, of course, lies the crux. The nature of terrorists and people who incite hatred and violence is that it is radical in form and quest, not respectful of logic and linear thought processes.
If they take umbrage and offense against and use their practiced and fluent rhetoric (let us admit that they are fluent orators gifted with the ability to turn brother against sister and docile follower to passionate activist) against one entity today, they are capable of seeking new targets tomorrow. Reason and rationale has nothing to do with it.
Like a snake loose in the grass, once a radical is hosted and a terrorist encouraged, it is impossible to determine where the strike will come next.
Compassion and consideration are not the right standards with which terrorists and inciters of hatred and violence should be treated. They simply do not understand or respect such “soft” concepts. For the terrorist, everyone is fair game.
Additionally when dealing with terrorists there are no discriminating physical features or past events that allow society to take guard against particular “types”. This is best evidenced by the kind of people who blew themselves up on July 7th. Mild mannered sports enthusiasts. Teachers, family men.
Therefore, as the British has ruefully learned, even though at great cost, there is no negotiating with terrorists. There are no bargains to be struck. One has to be firm, committed and determined.
July 2005