Terrorist attacks

Sir, - What would have been the reaction of the world if the terrorists had attacked a militarily weak nation instead of the U.S.? Would then the major nations of the world get united to fight terrorism as they have done following the attacks on the U.S. last weak? Presumably, the answer is `no'.

Most nations then would have condemned the attacks but would have taken no effort to exercise their military might to suppress terrorism. The advanced nations have been turning a deaf ear to India's appeal of combating terrorism and, over the years, we have been fighting the battle alone. The genuine reason why most of the nations have so meekly endorsed America's mission of fighting terrorism and its resolution to attack Afghanistan is because they not only want to win the goodwill of the U.S., but also because of the threat as made by the U.S. Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, that when asked for help the nations are either with them or against them.

What has been done to the U.S. is wrong and its people richly deserve our sympathy and the war against terrorism is well justified. But the U.S. must keep in mind that the war against terrorism should not be concentrated on Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden and his group, nor should this war come to an end if the U.S. succeeds in trapping Osama. The war against terrorism would be a war for humanity and it should continue.

Sutirtha Sahariah,

New Delhi

Sir, - No nation took India seriously when we sought help to fight terrorism. Now, all are crying for revenge. The Indian Government should have advised the Americans to have a dialogue with terrorists and nations harbouring them. Instead, our Government has offered all-out support to the Americans in their plans for war against terrorism which is bound to fail in the long run.

Dr. B.R.L. Prasad,

Gannavaram (A.P)

Sir, - No doubt the recent terrorist attacks on the U.S. are a blow to humanity. But hasn't America laid the foundation for such terrorist acts? The first act of terrorism performed by the U.S. which led to vast destruction was the bombardment of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These questions are never asked by any country as the U.S. is a superpower and nobody wants to indulge in a fight with it.

Babur Rayyan,

Aligarh

Sir, - Unable to deny the evidence of terrorist camps in Pakistan presented by India to the U.S., supplemented by evidence already with the U.S., Gen. Pervez Musharraf lashed out at India, giving vent to his frustration and admission at being arm-twisted by the U.S., warning that if Islamabad failed to cooperate it would treat Pakistan as harbouring terrorists, endangering the country's vital installations.

The Indian aim of highlighting terrorism has been achieved and now it is time for ``quiet, behind the scene diplomacy'', and not to annoy the U.S; now focussed on Osama/Taliban.

Geographically the role we can play in the present crisis is minimum! No need to panic or indulge in ``one-upmanship'' diplomacy with Pakistan, now.

Brig. (retd.) V.R.P. Sarathy,

Chennai

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