15 September  2001, Copyright © Turkish Daily News

Opinion by Gunduz Aktan

Terrorism - its meaning

The main characteristic of the terrorist incident in New York was its scale. It added entirely new dimensions to the concepts of horror and pain. Neither word nor feelings can express the entire tragedy.

Those watching it on television immediately identify with the victims as if they are the ones looking in desperation from the windows of the burning building, leaning out then falling. They are there as the building collapses, emerging from the dust cloud looking for their nearest and dearest. They put themselves in the position of the passengers on the crashing plane. The importance of differences such as being American, Christian, rich and powerful is all lost. The tragedy that hit those innocent people shocks as much as if it had happened to us.

It has been five days now and we are coming to our senses. We can now look at the incident more collectedly.

Terrorism is a very complex phenomenon. This has shown once again how little is known of terrorism both here in Turkey and abroad. Humanity has the characteristic of not being able to know its bad points well. Perhaps it does not want to know. Before we start thinking on the consequences of this major incident that will affect the period ahead, it would be expedient to look at a few of the characteristics of terrorism.

There is little to no international cooperation when it comes to terrorism. It is known the matter is taken up at G7 summits. However, just what the essence and effectiveness of the cooperation being carried out between such a small number of countries will be is unknown.

Resolutions on "international terrorism" are adopted within the UN system. As in the 1994 declaration, these resolutions are in general terms and non-binding. They contain several norms more than anything else. The differences in viewpoint that prohibit cooperation are there hidden between the lines. Besides, "international terrorism" is only a very narrow aspect of terrorism in general. For example, "international terrorism" is the term applied to terrorism carried out to affect United States policy in the Middle East. The West is ready to cooperate only against this form of terrorism. They are not supportive of international cooperation when it comes to terrorism that exists within the borders of the countries.

According to a decision taken by the European Parliament in 1996, terrorism in non-democratic countries is called a political "resistance campaign". In other words it is acknowledged that when there are no democratic avenues, political demands can be actualized through terrorism. In fact, it is not even called terrorism. No distinction is made between terrorism and legally permissable violence. Terrorism is legitimized.

In contrast to this, the same decision stresses that terrorism will in no way, shape or form be considered justified, even for clearly political purposes, in democratic countries. Besides, while EU countries are combating ethnic terrorism within their own borders, they are at the same time trying to eliminate the causes of this terrorism. They are allowing cultural rights and autonomy etc. They accept terrorism as a political phenomenon with rational reasons and aims.

Yet, it does not matter whether the terrorism is "international" or within democratic countries, or even it is the "resistance" in non-democratic countries. Terrorism is still terrorism. In international law, terrorism means the killing of innocent civilians. Therefore, terrorism is a crime under all circumstances and terrorist violence is prohibited. If the killed for whatever reason is an innocent, it does not make any difference whether that country's regime is a democracy or a dictatorship. It cannot be reduced to the realm of foreign realtions either.

According to international law, terrorism is a prohibited form of violence. Terrorism i.e. killing innocent people, cannot be used to enhance human rights and democracy or to gain liberty or to thrown off occupation or defend one's existence. Lofty aims cannot legitimize terrorist means.

International cooperation over terrorism may come about only if a consensus can be reached on this point.

Will the fight initiated by the United States against terrorism be limited only to international terrorism, that it the terrorism that aims to influence U.S. foreign policy? Or will it be a universal fight against the terrorism where innocent civilians are killed anywhere and for any reason? If the battle is only going to be against the terrorism that is aimed at the U.S, then regardless of the significance of Sept. 11, it cannot be said that the world is entering a new era.

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