DATE=05/08/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09871

TITLE=EDITORIAL: LONGTERM EFFECTS OF SEPT. 11th

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: The September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States brought a quick response. A U.S.-led coalition launched a military campaign in Afghanistan. The oppressive Taleban regime has been routed. The al-Qaida terrorist network has been deprived of its home base. Its leadership is on the run and many al-Qaida operatives have been killed or captured.

Afghanistan has been transformed from a terrorist-sponsoring state into a country led by people who are trying to create a better future. But the war on terrorism has made clear a number of truths. Among them, said White House National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, is that "there has been an end to innocence about international politics and about our own vulnerability." The global war on terrorism makes vividly clear the fact that military power matters in international politics.

Another truth is that the U.S.-led coalition must take the fight to the terrorists. And that means, as President George W. Bush said, there can be no distinction between terrorists and those who harbor them. The U.S. is committed to a sustained campaign to deny sanctuary to terrorists, regardless of where they are from and where they commit their crimes. "Our message to every leader on every continent," said Condoleezza Rice, "is that terrorism can support no cause. It is never, never legitimate. It is, by its very nature, evil. Terrorists have no positive agenda. Terrorists are not for anything. They are against peace and freedom and life itself."

Another truth that September 11th made crystal clear was the need to deny terrorists and hostile states the opportunity to acquire weapons of mass destruction. As Ms. Rice put it, "The world's most dangerous people simply cannot be permitted to obtain the world's most dangerous weapons. And it is a stubborn and extremely troubling fact that the list of states that sponsor terror and the list of states that are seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction overlap substantially."

Finally, September 11th highlighted the fact that global terror demands a global solution. Right now there are twenty countries with forces operating in and around Afghanistan. Many others are providing intelligence and law enforcement efforts to cut off terrorist financing.

As National Security Adviser Rice said, "Patient and focused leadership has brought us thus far, and we believe that it will carry us through to victory."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.