Today marks the sixth anniversary of the "September 11" incidents. Six years ago, al-Qaeda terrorists launched insane attacks on the United States (US). An unprecedented global war against terrorism followed, led by the US.
Six years later, people's feelings about the attacks are beyond condemnation and grief for the deceased. This is usually the time of year when involved parties count their gains and losses in their global anti-terror efforts. Meanwhile, al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups are planning new attacks. Western countries including the US and Britain have tightened their security, while al-Qaeda continues to scheme and announce its presence.
At present, there are two major opinions towards the gains and losses in global anti-terror efforts. One is represented by the White House, holding the belief that terrorist plans are continuously foiled in Britain and Germany, and al-Qaeda is unable to launch large-scale attacks; the other is represented by a recent report by the CIA, which sings an entirely different tune, declaring that al-Qaeda is stronger than ever and poses grave threats to Western interests.
Putting aside the question whether or not al-Qaeda is half-dead, as an important part of the war on terror, the US-led Western strikes on the so-called "terrorist regime" can hardly be seen as effective. In the past few months, innocent Iraqi civilians have suffered from incessant bombing; the US death toll has been climbing; the Taliban in Afghanistan have organized counter attacks; and the US and Britain, once diehard allies, have drifted further apart. All these events indicate that the "strike first" and "violence for violence" approach so far has plunged the global anti-terror campaign into increasing stagnation.
Setbacks resulting from a unilateral policy have emphasized the necessity and importance of dialogue and cooperation in the war against terror. During this entire process, the Muslim and Arab worlds will never be neglected. It is extremely dangerous to equate Islamic fundamentalism with terrorism. As a matter of fact, for many years, extreme forces represented by al-Qaeda have also hurt the Islamic world tremendously; and the rich anti-terror experience accumulated in the Muslim and Arab worlds is usually more effective than a military threat, bank account freeze, and telephone wire-tapping.
Terrorism is a common enemy of all human kind, for which the international community has reached a consensus after September 11. China has consistently emphasized its opposition to terrorism in all shapes and forms; and has called for strengthening international cooperation and eliminating root sources of terrorism. Therefore, in the course of removing this international devil of terrorism, we must follow a road of dialogue and cooperation among different cultures. Western countries, in particular, should refrain from being aggressive and arrogant; and actively learn from all relevant sides to contain the spread of extremist thought altogether. Only in this way can we prevent the recurrence of the "September 11" tragedy.
By Tu Longde with China Radio International; translated by People's Daily Online
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