Unite to beat terrorism

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in an awe inspiring speech at the recent Group of Eleven Summit in Amman, said that terrorism in any part of the world is terrorism and that all nations should unite to beat that common enemy.

He said that Sri Lanka, which has suffered heavily due to the LTTE's ruthless acts, was not only seeking to defeat terrorism but was also trying to liberate the people who had become innocent victims of terrorism.

The President said his Government is fully committed to safeguard human rights and democracy. He also noted that political negotiations and constitutional reforms have been initiated to address the concerns of all communities.

Explaining the bitter truth before the G-11 leaders, the President said all terrorist attacks, be it in Amman, Islamabad, London or Colombo, are acts that must be vehemently condemned. As the President emphasised, there is no difference between such terrorist acts. Simply put terrorism anywhere is terrorism.

It is a crying shame that some organisations in the so-called developed world tend to view certain terrorist organisations leniently. At times, these terrorists are surprisingly labelled as rebels or freedom fighters.

Such countries and organisations try to justify those acts in the belief that the terrorists engage in such acts due to discrimination. Even the so-called international media, which claims to be impartial and respects media freedom, also label the merciless terrorists organisations as rebels.

On the other hand, some countries also allow or turn a blind eye to terrorist organisations operating on their soil. This is precisely how they show their indifference to terrorism.

Even some leading INGOs and NGOs follow some of those so-called developed countries in granting undue recognition to terrorist groups which don't show any concern to barbarity ignoring the human rights of their own people.

President Rajapaksa was bold enough to take his 'Mahinda Chintanaya' before the world leaders in outlining several programmes launched here to address the issues of the rural sector, placing emphasis on roads, electricity, irrigation and water supply, houses and livelihood assistance. He also stressed the need to deal with the menace of terrorism.

His soul-stirring speech was an eye-opener to all, especially to those who spoon-feed terrorist groups under the guise of humanitarian aid.

We have witnessed INGOs who dance to the tune of those in the so-called economically developed world. But they are unable to differentiate a liberation organisation and a terrorist organisation. They prefer to act as if they are unable to do so.

It is only in developing countries or less developed countries that those acts become liberation moves. In the developed world, they are branded as terrorists. They don't talk about human rights or discrimination against minorities. Do we put up with these double standards?

The time has now come for all of us to identify the common enemy. The consequences of terrorism are the same, irrespective in which part of the globe it takes place. It's the innocent people who suffer and become helpless.

Why don't those countries and INGOs talk about the human rights of those innocent civilians who become displaced due to terrorism? They only talk glibly about human rights of those who abuse human rights of other people. Is this fair by any standard?

As President Rajapaksa has emphasised, time and again it's high time we all join hands to defeat terrorism. Be it the LTTE, Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist organisation in the world, their ultimate objective is nothing but inflictins misery to others. Only their goals and methods of achieving their targets differ.

The end result is the same, irrespective of the organisation or the place they engage in such acts of terror.

Fortunately, there are several developed countries which have understood this stark fact. Their acts should inspire the rest of the world to stand together to defeat international terrorism. Merely talking won't do any good and all must prove their sincere desire to defeat terrorism.

The few INGOs and NGOs which indirectly support terror groups should also realise the cruelty of their acts. While preaching peace and raising their voice for the people who are suffering, these groups try to glorify terrorism through their acts, directly or indirectly.

Terrorism should be defeated at any cost. We must deal with terrorists in the language they understand. If not, they would resort to acts which would harm more innocent civilians.

Defeating terrorism would not be such a gigantic task if all nations unite and work towards a common goal. When the terrorists realise that they do not have any sympathisers and followers, they would be compelled to give up their cruel acts.

At the same time, all countries must take strong measures to curb terrorist funding. This is one of the best ways to check terrorist organisations.

If we could eradicate terrorism this world would be a heaven on earth.