DATE=05/14/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09883

TITLE=EDITORIAL: U.S. AND E-U FIGHT TERRORISM

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS IS A CORRECTED VERSION OF EDITORIAL NUMBER 0-09883. PLEASE NOTE CORRECTION IN FIRST AND LAST GRAPH, "PRESIDENT" CHANGED TO "PRIME MINISTER." PLEASE KILL ENGLISH VOICED VERSION OKAY FOR LANGUAGE SERVICES.

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

Voice: At the U.S.-European Union summit in Washington, Spanish prime minister and current president of the E-U, Jose Maria Aznar, said he wanted "to send out a very positive message concerning the strength of the relationship between the European Union and the United States," especially with regard to the war against terrorism.

All terrorists, said Mr. Aznar, are the same. "They're all seeking to destroy our harmonious coexistence, to destroy civilization. They're seeking to destroy our democracy and freedoms," he said. Terrorism is a global problem. The terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were no different from those who place a car bomb on the streets of Madrid or any other European city.

Spain has demonstrated its commitment to rounding up terrorists and their supporters. Recently, Muhammed Galeb [huh-LEB] Kalaje [huh-lezh-EE] Zouaydi [zoo-AI-dee] was arraigned in Spain and ordered held indefinitely without bail. He is a Syrian-born businessman accused of helping finance Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist operations. Zouaydi was arrested in Madrid and charged with "multiple crimes of terrorism for as many deaths and injuries caused" in the September 11th attacks. Twelve other al-Qaida suspects have been arrested in Spain since November.

Other European Union countries are doing their part. German lawmakers recently passed legislation making it easier to arrest members or supporters of international terrorist networks. And German authorities continue to crack down on suspected Islamic terrorist cells. In late April, nine suspects were arrested in Karlsruhe on suspicion of planning attacks in Germany.

Britain is on the front lines in the war on terrorism. In Afghanistan, British Royal Marines, backed by U.S. troops, have been hunting al-Qaida terrorists and the remnants of the Taleban. The task is to destroy al-Qaida caves and bunkers and to kill or capture al-Qaida and Taleban members.

The U.S. and its European allies understand that nothing less than civilization is at stake in the war on terrorism. As Spanish prime minister Aznar said, the U.S. and its allies "hold the conviction that moral values underpin [the] struggle and [the] fight against terrorism." There can be no compromise with evil. Terrorists must be defeated wherever they lurk.

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.