Terrorist attacks: How should America respond?

The United States has readied its forces to strike back at those behind the worst assault ever on American soil. The Afghanistan's ruling Taliban has reaffirmed its position of sheltering chief suspect Osama bin Laden. But Should USA go ahead and engage the Talibans or is there another way to resolve this? Anthony Mugeere interviewed a cross- section of Ugandans to find what they had say about the issue: Stephen Akabway, Deputy Commissioner Uganda Revenue Authority (Administration) says the US should do thorough investigations on who was behind the attack before it strikes any suspect. “Action must be based on facts so that no innocent person is punished. There is no need to hurry because the damage has already been done. Let the US intelligence organs follow the clues they have seriously so that we avoid unnecessary damage,” he said. Dick Nyai, MP Ayivu county, feels the Americans have every right to be angry with the terrorists. But he cautions against retaliation by the world’s sole super power. “The Americans should not focus on retaliation, but re-examining their policy,” he said. “They should ask themselves whether their foreign policy has caused bitterness in the world. Is it privatisation? Is it the dollar power? Is it supporting dictatorship and bad governments or globalisation? They should learn lessons to improve human society instead of preparing for war,” he explained. Sheila Kawamara, Cor-ordinatior of the Uganda National Women’s Network (UWONET) says the US should consider the impact of its retaliatory move on women and children. “Much as the terrorists did an absurd thing,” she argued, “the Americans should avoid retaliation because this would claim more lives, especially those of the women and children.” Kawamara also feels the US should explore peaceful avenues to bring the suspects to book without spilling blood. “Negotiations with the Talibans can help the world avoid bloodshed,” she added. Hellen Lugada, Public Relations officer, Uganda Revenue Authority, also thinks the US can use diplomatic channels to arrest and prosecute Osama bin Laden. She says, “The US should exercise the highest degree of diplomacy. War will hurt many innocent people and could even lead to a third World War. The Arabs could even unleash their suicide bombers to the rest of the world.” Dixon Kamukama, a Makerere University Senior History lecturer, said, “It would be in the interest of the Americans to hit back at those who caused havoc. They should react accordingly if they have established the people who caused this loss of life and property.” But like many other people, Kamukama is worried of the possibility of a third World War if the US attacks Afghanistan. “We do not know whether the Afghans have nuclear weapons. If they do, they might unleash them to the world, causing worse damage. The war could also take on another dimension when NATO, the Arab world and other regional and security blocs join,” he added. Vincent Waiswa, Chief Executive of African IT Exhibitors and Conferences (AITEC) also feels the Americans are justified to attack the sources of terrorrism if they are certain that they were responsible for the attack. “The US needs justice. If the terrorists can hit at America, what will happen to Uganda and other poor countries? The Americans should help the rest of the world in curbing terrorism by hitting at its perpetrators,” he said. Francis Kayanja, headmaster Kibiri Primary School in Wakiso district, says the US should not take anything for granted. “They should use high diplomatic surveillance to find out the grievances of the attackers. The enemy should be put into perspective before talk of retaliation becomes a reality,” he said. Sheikh Sulaiman Kakeeto, leader of the Tabliqs in Uganda, also says the US should take time to establish the perpetrators of terrorism before it strikes. “Killing innocent people is against the Koran. So the Americans should not make a mistake of attacking anyone without getting proper information. It should not be an eye-for-an-eye approach,” he said. Readers who visited The New Vision website (www.newvision.co.ug) also gave mixed views to the way forward in the wake of the terrorist attack on US positions. Gica, says the US should address the root cause of the problem with the goal of reconciliation. To achieve this objective, he proposes the involvement of someone like Nelson Mandela to help find a lasting solution to the problem. “We need someone with the power to overcome personal tragedy and the ability to see through the futile urges of revenge. Someone ready to accept personal tragedy as the price for the common good of mankind,” says Gica. But Renn Michaels says he does not understand why most people are talking of reconciliation with the terrorists. He says, “We do not need a ‘Mandela’ figure to end the hatred militant muslims have for people who are ‘evil’ in their eyes. People should consider the big picture a bit more before the talk about reconciliation. This isn’t two baby brothers fighting over a toy. Up to 50,000 people could have been in those buildings.” Laurence Egulu says it is a very difficult moment for the US and the rest of the world. While he feels it is important for the US to flush out the terrorists from their bases in Afghanistan, he predicts a situation where everyone will take a hard line. “Whereas the US provides the leadership against unwanted criminals, the terrorists have a mission of ridding the world of godless humans. How about the genuine Muslims who will find themselves victimised for no fault of their own? Let us pray such a scenario never happens,” he says. The latest developments show that the US is determined to arrest Osama bin Laden. The Talibans say they will not yeild. If neither side gives in, the ground is set for battle. But, “It is easier to make war than it is to make peace.” ends