September 11 goes beyond US soil

SIR—The US embassy was dismayed at the treatment of terrorism and other threats to global peace conveyed in your editorials of February 2, “Bush should calm down” and of February 6, “USA must be fair” In his tale of the Union address on January 29, President Bush cited three countries whose actions and policies currently cause the U.S the greatest concern: Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. In each case,The New Vision editorial blithely suggested that these regimes affect no one but their own citizens. The events of September 11, however, were proof positive that regimes that fund, support and train terrorists pose a danger far beyond their own borders and regions. And, regimes that aggressively pursue weapons of mass destruction constitute another kind of threat, just as serious. Despite a few positive signs by Iran and North Korea, which the US has noted and continues to encourage, Iraq, Iran and North Korea are state sponsors of terrorism and are aggressively building up arsenals of weapons of mass destruction. It is not in the interest of peaceful members of the world community to stand by while countries with a documented record of support for terrorism continue to seek nuclear, chemical and biological weapons capabilities.The U.S acknowledges the positive statements by Iran after the September 11 attacks, and has worked constructively with Iran to oust the Taliban. Yet, while pledging funds and support for the Interim Authority, Iran has sought to fragment Afghanistan as the US and its coalition parterners try to rebuild it. elements in the Iranian government have allowed Al Qaida forces to escape via Iranian territory. Iraq under Saddam Hussein is determined to acquire weapons of mass destruction at all costs. It harbours terrorist groups as it continues to flout the obligations and pledges it made in 1991.North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while its citizens starve. While North Korea has accepted the Agreed Framework to halt its overt nuclear weapons programme, the regime remains the world’s number one exporter of ballistic missiles and technology.The governments of Iran, Iraq and North Korea have a choice to make and the international community should encourage them to make a responsible choice.Martin BrennanAmbassador