terrorism it's root

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BY

LOCKER NO 383, MAJOR AMJAD

SPONSOR DIRECTING STAFF

L IEUTENANT COLONEL ASIM

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TERRORISM: EVOLUTION,

ROOT CAUSES AND COPING STRATEGIES


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SUB-THEME

Some of the scholars attribute terrorism to injustice perpetrated by the stronger

on to the weaker. It is also felt that the success of war against Terrorism depends

upon the settlement of long-standing issues threatening peace around the world.

Analyze this factor critically and recommend measures to address terrorism

collectively highlighting the role of UN on the issue.

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ABSTRACT

Terrorism over the ages has become a potent tool in world affairs to highlight

marginalized causes. It has evolved in strength over time using modern

technology to further its aims. While there is no consensus on defining terrorism

however there is an agreement in the International community to tackle it vocally.

While one mans terrorist may be another mans freedom fighter. Some of the

causes adopted by the terrorists are linked to the unresolved questions of self-

governance, self-determination, and exploitation spread all over the globe.

In this regard the UN has played a leading role in encouraging states to curb

terror activities through various measures of legislation, financial control, denial

of bases and stronger monitoring of underground crime and terrorist outfits.

However it still has a long way to go before it can act in a strong manner to

redress the causes of terrorism and become a safeguard against the

unilateralism of the United States of America, which has become a hyper power

of the world.

Countering terrorism perpetrated by the state as well as the non-state actors will

require a stronger United Nations enforcement of terrorist legislations and

measures through the raising of a permanent counter terrorism infrastructure and

addressing all outstanding issues globally in a multilateral and just environment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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1. Introduction 1

2. Aim and Scope 2

3. Part 1- Terrorism; History and Evolution

a. Terrorism- First Global War of Information Age 4

b. Definition of Terrorism 4

c. Problems in Defining Terrorism 5

4. PART II-Root Causes and Objectives Of Terrorism

a. Reasons of Terrorism

(1) Conflicting Interests 8

(2) Social Theory of Exchange 8

(3) Theory of Relative Deprivation 9

(4) Dissatisfaction with the system 9

(5) Holding of Enough Power/Access to Weapons 9

(6) Power of Strong in Danger 10

(7) Socio - Cultural Reasons 10

(8) Economic Disparity 10

(9) Unbalanced System of Education 11

(10) Psychological Reasons 11

(11) Political Injustice 12

(12) Religious Intolerance 12

(13) Foreign Support and Subversion 12

(14) Use of Force 12

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(15) Unlawful Occupation 13

(16) Issue-Specific Terrorism 13

(17) Humiliation for Muslims 13

b. Objectives of Terrorism 14

c. Terrorism and Long Standing Issues 15

5. Part III-The Role of United Nations in Combating Terrorism

a. UN Response to Terrorism 17

b. UN Efficacy 18

c. Future UN Role to Combat Terrorism 19

6. PART IV- Conclusions and Recommandations 22

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TERRORISM: EVOLUTION,

ROOT CAUSES AND COPING STRATEGIES

Introduction

1. The attack on World Trade Centre (WTC) on September 11, 2001 was the

most devastating terrorist act that brought terrorism into the global agendas

limelight. 9/11 demonstrated an unprecedented level of professional planning by

the terrorists.

2. Presently the International community against the terrorists is waging a

War on terror. While a lot of resources are being expended in the quest for

crushing terrorist outfits and their cadres, hardly any attention is being paid to the

causes of such proliferation of terror.

3. The adoption of terror by the hitherto powerless, in the face of

overwhelming forces and technology has given the world suicidal and fanatical

elements destroying world peace and security. Terrorists are now determining,

how much liberty and civil rights ordinary citizens can enjoy. By their targeting of

innocent civilians, they are forcing the hands of the governments towards

invasion of privacy and resort to curtailing of civil liberties.

4. The lack of strong institutional mechanisms to address grievances of the

marginalized; in the, Middle east, South Asia, Central Asian Region, Philippines,

are only some of the rotten sores of the world, denied of its rights due to ethnic

bias in the 21st century.

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5. In order to grapple with the menace of modern day terror of overt and

covert designs, the responsibility for resolution of outstanding issues lies on the

global community. This can only occur when the will to address them is realized

by the powerful as well as the others and institutional mechanisms like the United

Nations (UN), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), etc. are allowed to function

as per their charters of the Right to Self determination, Freedom of Religion, the

right to self and representative governance, along with the application of uniform

standards of law for non state as well as state sponsored terror. Labeling one or

the other as right or wrong, good or evil, will lead to further bitterness amongst

cultures and civilizations.

Aim

6. To analyze the root causes of terrorism highlighting the UN efficacy to

combat terrorism with a view to recommend measures to address this issue

collectively under UN role.

Scope

7. Part I. Terrorism; History And Evolution

8. PART II. Root Causes and Objectives Of Terrorism

9. PART III. The Role of United Nations in Combating Terrorism

10. PART IV. Conclusions and Recommendations

11. Conclusion

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PART I

TERRORISM; HISTORY AND EVOLUTION

General

12. Terrorism is centuries old. Historically some factions, seeking to achieve a

political agenda through violent means, used terrorism against civilians. The old

terrorism reflected political and social developments within a country and tended

to have a political ideology. Terrorism was, directly related to inability of some

countries to resolve their internal ethnic or political conflicts.

13. Up until the 18th century, the purpose of terrorist attacks was religious. In

the 19th century terrorist became more political, with the idea of attacking

governments. After World War II, terrorism became frequent and intense. As

terrorism evolved in the 20th century, terrorists were driven by beliefs in fighting

for particular sub national causes or ideology. Terrorist networks grew with the

help of advanced means of communications and sophisticated lethal technology.

14. The conflicts between Israel and Arab countries after World War II led to

intense periods of terrorism. In 1970s and 1980s, terrorism spilled over into

Western Europe and exploded as a global phenomenon in recent years, going

beyond borders and often directly affecting the core political interests of different

states. Terrorist groups now operate as global institutions (similar to other

supranational institution, like the IMF)1. They rely upon networking and on global

financial systems for their activities.

1 Sergey Rogov. The UN Response to the New Terrorism: Shaping the Strategies Framework for 21st

Century.[online] http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/cio/projects/rogov.pdf

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Terrorism-First Global War of

Information Age

15. As the individual communication and mass media tools developed, the

strategies and tactics of psychological war have developed proportionately, and

have become a kind of art. From this point of view, the communication era, we

live in, is also defined as the era of psychological wars.

16. Terrorism, which is an element of the psychological war generally, arises

as a result of putting the invasive opinions and activities, which already exist or

are artificially formed, in action for a specific purpose. Terrorism tends to display

variation along with the changing conditions of the world.

17. Terrorism is now closely linked to the process of globalization. There are

close connections between international terrorism and transnational organized

crime, illegal movement of nuclear, chemical, biological and other potentially

deadly materials.

18. The terrorists have an access to e-mail messages encoded with

cryptographic software. The computer scientists say that trying to control

encryption may be a waste of time and effort. Terrorists are far more likely to use

steganography2, which involves obscuring messages from detection and makes

the message "disappear" altogether.

Definition of Terrorism

19. The weakness of the state system to address grievances of all the

sections of the nation state results in groups from among the minorities to take

2 New Scientist [online]. Available http://www.newscientist.com\

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up armed or violent resistance in pursuit of their political aims. The state suffering

this reaction usually labels such opposition as terrorism. Like the example of the

Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the Ireland was branded as a terrorist

organization for over 40 years until it was allowed to occupy the negotiation seat

and recognized as a legitimate voice for the struggle of the Irish people. It is

therefore important to have a universal definition of the term terrorism for3 :-

a. International Cooperation between countries in the struggle and to

ensure its effectiveness.

b. Legislation and Punishment, necessary for making laws to curtail it.

c. Distinguishing between Terrorism and Genuine Freedom Struggles.

20. Problems in Defining Terrorism

a. There have been a numerous attempts to define terrorism. For

some, terrorism is a process comprising several phases. For

others, it is strategy; for others still, a form of political violence

approximating insurrection, rebellion, anarchy or political protest or

revolution. Much has been made of the idea that one mans

terrorist is another mans freedom fighter4.

b. The UN has 12 existing multilateral conventions on terrorism but

none of these conventions has a generally accepted single

definition of terrorism.

3 Boaz Ganor. Is One Mans Terrorist is Another Mans Freedom Fighter. [Online] Available

http://www.ict.org.il/articles/define.html. Jul 22, 2002.

4 Juliet Lodge , The threat of Terrorism. ( United States : Westview , 1988) P. 1-2

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c. American professors Anthony Clark Arend and Robert Beck, in their

book international law and the use of force: beyond the UN charter

paradigm note that 109 definitions of terrorism have been

advanced between 1936 and 1981. More have appeared since

then, including at least six from the United States government5. All

the definitions of terrorism agree on the material and moral

components of terror concept that it :-

(1) Is an organized act or threatening of violence.

(2) Creates a state of fear and panic among the targeted

people.

(3) Aims at achieving general or political goals for the

perpetrators.

d. But the prevailing definitions do not distinguish between the

terrorism and legitimate/internationally recognized freedom

struggles, even when these are aimed at obtaining independence

from foreign occupation. Kashmir and Palestine are glaring

examples.

5 Solomon M.Santos, Jr. Terrorism Towards a Legal Definition. [online] Available

http://www.yonip.com/main/articles/terrorism.html

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PART II

ROOT CAUSES AND OBJECTIVES OF TERRORISM

Reasons of Terrorism

21. Terrorism does not take place in vacuum without any reason. The desire

to identify reasons of terrorism and so be able to correct them is quite natural.

Therefore, it is important to look into the past to understand reasons/motives of

terrorism. Some of these are explained below:-

a. Conflicting Interests. One of the fundamental reasons of

terrorism is conflicting and opposing interests between the parties.

The psychology of conflict is that it can frustrate, at least, one of the

parties when it perceives that conflict might not be resolved with

peaceful means and negotiations. According to Freud, all human

beings have aggressive energies and if they are not channeled

properly, they can negatively influence human relationship.

b. Social Exchange Theory. Social exchange theory points out an

important factor that good mutual relationship is maintained until

advantages are more than disadvantages or at least equal. The

intensity of good mutual relationship declines when one party feels

or perceives that keeping relationship is not benefiting according to

the expectations.

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c. Theory of Relative Deprivation. The theory of relative

deprivation6 argues that people (or groups) compare their

situations with other people (or groups) and they fall prey to relative

deprivation if they feel that other people (or groups) are living in

better conditions and environment. It may not be wrong to contend

that relative deprivation is one of the fundamental reasons

provoking terrorism.

d. Dissatisfaction with the System. Professor Doctor Ted Robert

Gurr7 points out that aggressive action is considered essential

when one is dissatisfied with the system and peaceful initiatives do

not bring any fruitful results. Politically dissatisfied people get

inclined to follow aggressive path when they meet deaf ears and

closed doors of administration.

e. Holding of Enough Power/Access to Weapons. Professor of

social sciences Charles Tilly8 identifies another very important

aspect of aggressive political action that people take aggressive

actions when they believe that they carry enough power to create

disturbance in order to bring the desired change in the system.

Access to weapons puts new life to violent initiatives and increase

aggressive behavior.

6 Ian Walker and Healther J. Smith. Relative Deprivation : Specification, Development and

Integration. [online] Available http://assets.cambrige.org/052180132x/sample/052180132xws.pdf7 http://bsos.umd.edu/gvpt/faculty/ted-gurr.htm8 http://www.columbia.edu/cu/history/htm/h_faculty-profile_tilly.htm

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f. Power Of Strong In Danger. Michael Howard9 mentions in

relation to the reasons of war that peace remains, until power of the

strong is not in danger. What Howard has written on war is also

applicable on other socio-political relationships. The moment the

weak raise their head and employ aggressive initiative, history

shows, that they are labeled terrorists. It is considered legitimate

when the stronger use force on the weaker.

g. Socio - Cultural Reasons. Social life changes in proportion to

cultural changes. However, if these changes in social structure are

rapid and unevenly spread causing disparity then conflicts emerge

in society. The elements of culture like history, language, customs,

traditions, art and literature indicate the maintenance of a national

identity. Undermining these, cause abnormalities like anarchy,

violence, loss of identity and unity. Those in favour of violence bring

individuals into the dilemmas of what is right or wrong causing

confusions in their minds. The gaps left in upbringing in the

personalities of the young are filled by suspect ideologies taught at

fringe schools and religo-political foundations.

h. Economic Disparity. Economic disparity and poverty in society

is the most important element, terror organizations exploit as a

target of propaganda and a tool for exploitation and recruitment10.

Consequently, the uneducated are manipulated for marginal

9 http://michaelhowardmp.com/biog/htm10 Poverty and Terrorism, Dawn, 3 May 2004

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agendas. Poverty feeds terrorism and there is an undeniable link

between the two.

j. Unbalanced System of Education. Education has the power

of changing the thoughts of individuals and society thoroughly.

Nelson Mandela11 the previous terrorist and todays freedom fighter

& Nobel Peace prize winner has called education the great leveler

of mankind. Philosopher Herbert Spencer12 believes that education

makes people become reasonable and decent. Peace in societies

depends on affirmative education producing useful individuals. The

role of families, institutions and media is to nurture people acquire

decent characters leading them to serve society, and the role of

government is to make this education possible supervising and

controlling it at the same time.

i. Psychological Reasons. The marginalized sections of the

society, when do not find any redress to their grievances, adopt

aggressive attitudes as a reaction. Another group cultivated as the

most effective terrorist is the sociopath or psychopath. Psychopaths

commit a crime for its pleasure. Ariel Sharon of Israel is a prime

example. A psychopath is a person who has high corruption in

character and morality, and never obeys and fits in social life and

community rules although he has no defect of intelligence. In brief,

11 http://archives.obs-us.com/obs/english/books/mandela/mandela.html12 http:/www.iep.utm.edu/s/spencer.htm

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it can be said that some individuals who are ill in mind and soul

resort to violence just for driving pleasure.

j. Political Injustice. It has emerged as an explosive cause for

terrorism in the recent history. With the emergence of democratic

republics, political aspirations of the masses have risen

considerably but there is evidence where these aspirations are not

allowed realisation forcing people to resort to violence. Kashmir,

Palestine, and Ireland are a few examples.

k. Religious Intolerance. Interference in religious and personal

freedom results in out bursts capable of resorting to terrorist

violence.

l. Foreign Support and Subversion. It involves encouraging

terrorism across international borders for the purpose of

destabilizing the borders or weakening the cohesion between

people and their parent country. Easy access and suitable routes to

an unfriendly country facilitate foreign support. Pakistans porous

border with India, Iran and Afghanistan is one of the examples.

m. Use of Force. Romano Prodi13, head of the European

Commission, says that force is not working against terrorism,

"Terrorism now is more powerful than before". Bush

administration's response to asymmetric warfare has only served to

increase the threat. Increasingly lethal American military muscle

13 http://europa.eu.int/comm/commissioners/prodi/policy/index_en.htm

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deployed all over the Islamic world has led to more lethal terrorist

attacks.

n. Unlawful Occupation. There is practically a consensus that the

beginning of a solution for the Middle East terrorism problem is the

end of both the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the American

occupation of Iraq. All the evidence now suggests that reshaping

the Middle East from a base in occupied Iraq is not leading to less

terrorism. It is leading to hyper terrorism.

o. Issue-Specific Terrorism. Issue-group extremists are another

growing source of terror violence. The escalations in attacks

against medical staff, clinics and hospitals by anti-abortion

campaigners in the USA, and against research scientists,

laboratories and commercial premises by animal rights

campaigners in the UK, are indications of the kinds of motivation

involved. Although issue-group extremists aim at changing specific

policies or practices rather than the whole socio-political system but

their potential for endangering life and social and economic

wellbeing should not be underestimated.

p. Humiliation For Muslims. Jessica Stern, the author of Terror in

the Name of God: Why Religious Militants Kill, while interviewing

terrorists around the world over the past five years says14 Those I

interviewed cite many reasons for choosing a life of holy war. But

14 Jessica Stern. Terrorisms New Mecca. The Globe and Mail, November 28, 2003.

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the variable that came up most frequently was not poverty, but

perceived humiliation for Muslims, and for the youth of Islam, it

is better to carry arms and defend their religion with pride and

dignity than to submit to this humiliation. Televised pictures of

American soldiers and their tanks in Baghdad is a "deeply

humiliating scene to Muslims.

Objectives of Terrorism

22. Terrorism is not a random and thoughtless violence. The terrorist carefully

plans and orchestrates his campaign to achieve specific objectives. A typical

terrorist campaign moves through different phases as the group and its motives

gain wider recognition15:-

a. Attention. The terrorists grab attention through media coverage of

dramatic, violent acts. Achieve larger goals by invoking fear in the

governing bodies that they cant secure their public. Terrorize the

enemy, reducing their will to fight.

b. Acknowledgement. They gain acknowledgement, perhaps even

sympathy and support, for their cause.

c. Recognition. The terrorist group is recognised as the spokesman

of the people they claim to represent.

d. Authority. They gain the influence to make changes in

government or society.

15 http://www.combat-online.com/terror.htm

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e. Governance. The terrorist groups consolidate their power,

effectively becoming the government.

Terrorism and Long Standing Issues

23. The study of revolutionary movements shows that the rulers considered all

revolutionary movements in the past such as French, Russian Revolution and

the1857 War of Independence, movements of terrorism. The history shows,

whenever legitimate demands of the weaker group are suppressed it encourages

violent actions.

24. Keeping in view the current state of international politics and terrorism, this

issue may be more important to discuss what options are left with the group or

the nation whose interests are ignored than simply finding the means to curb

terrorism.

25. When all principles of resolving conflicts are set aside, the suppressed

nations are left with no option other than aggressive actions. Indeed, those who

consider violent activities of Palestinians, Kashmiris and Chechnyans as

terrorism, they are living in a fools paradise. People of these nations are forced

to commit suicide bombing because the world has not shown understanding to

their problems and demands.

26. The spirit of this paper is not to excuse violent actions but to make

powerful nations and power brokers realize that they must look after the interests

of weak nations and groups. Dispensation of Justice and rule of law are tools to

curb violence. The world is spending huge amounts to find a few terrorists but not

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showing any interest to eliminate reasons of terrorism. The current strategy

against terrorism is not nipping the evil in the bud but promoting terrorism.

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PART III

THE ROLE OF UNITED NATIONS IN COMBATING TERRORISM

TERRORISM IS A GLOBAL THREAT WITH GLOBAL EFFECTS; ... BY

ITS VERY NATURE, TERRORISM IS AN ASSAULT ON THE FUNDAMENTAL

PRINCIPLES OF LAW, ORDER, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE PEACEFUL

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES UPON WHICH THE UNITED NATIONS IS

ESTABLISHED. THE UNITED NATIONS HAS AN INDISPENSABLE ROLE

TO PLAY IN PROVIDING THE LEGAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL

FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST

TERRORISM CAN UNFOLD.

Kofi Annan

UN Secretary-General

4 October 2002

The UN Response to Terrorism

27. On September 12, 2001, the Security Councils resolution 1368

condemning the attacks on WTC and obliging states to "combat by all means

threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist attacks16" and on

September 28, the Security Councils resolution 1373 calling on states to control

"the financing and preparation of any acts of terrorism17," is a good example of

UN response to combat terrorism.

16http://untreaty.un.org/English/Terrorism.asp17http://untreaty.un.org/English/Terrorism.asp

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28. The Security Council has established a Counter Terrorism Committee

(CTC) to oversee implementation of Security Council Resolution1373. Member

states sent the reports to the CTC in December 2001 stating the steps they are

taking to fight terrorism. These include progress in seven critical areas:

legislation, financial asset controls, customs immigration, extradition, law

enforcement and arms.

29. The UN has long been active in the fight against international terrorism,

reflecting the determination of the international community to eliminate this

threat. Secretary General Kofi Anan repeatedly condemned terrorism acts, as in

a speech he delivered on 12 September: All nations of the world must be united

in their solidarity with the victims of terrorism, and in their determination to take

action, both against the terrorist themselves and against all those who give them

any kind of shelter, assistance or encouragement18.

30. The Vienna-based United Nations Terrorism Prevention Branch

researches terrorism trends and assists countries in upgrading their capacities to

investigate - but, above all, to prevent -- terrorist acts. All these actions, however,

follow up on long-standing UN efforts to fight terrorism.

UN Efficacy

31. Terrorism will be defeated only if the world can find an effective response.

All nations of the world must be united in their determination to take actions

against terrorists and against those who give them any support. Obviously this

can be done only through the United Nations.

18 Appendix F, UN Role in Fighting Terrorism,[online] Available

http//www.state.gov/documents/organisation/10309.pdf

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32. Its true that the role of the UN has long been undermined by the US for its

own various nationalistic reasons, but today terrorism has become a major

concern of the world. It is necessary to outline potential areas for expanded UN

anti-terrorist activities.

33. The UN system's greatest contribution to the fight against terrorism has

been the establishment of international norms against acts of terror and their

codification into international law. Signatories are obliged to ensure that their

domestic law criminalizes the acts described in the conventions. These emerging

legal norms are already serving to positive effect, but they have to be universally

accepted and adhered to by all states, which should fully implement them as

soon as possible. Resolution 1377 urges the member states to address regional

conflicts that are hurdles in the possible fight against international terrorism19.

The political resolution of the issues will significantly reduce the terrorist strikes.

Future Un Role to Combat Terrorism

34. Although UN faces many critical problems in transforming its resolutions

and efforts of its agencies into effective actions, however these problems do not

mean that UN should give up. There are many areas of international activity

where the UN can expand its functions without having to face many of the

problems related to the sensitivity to the internal security issues of the nations.

The most important role the UN can play, lies in dealing with the broader

definition of terrorism and the need to protect civilians against all acts of

extremist violence including the use of weapons of mass destruction20.

19 Mr Ahmad Bilal Soofi, Terrorism and International Law. The Citadel, February 2003, P-5720 Centre for Strategic and international Studies. The Role of United Nations in Fighting terrorism

[online] Available http://www.csis.org/features/roleofUN.pdf.

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35. There is a need to grip the international effects of clash within civilizations.

The analyses of the global violence and the effects of terrorism would show that

the world is not dealing with global spillover of clashes within civilizations, regions

and nations. In most of the cases, international terrorism is side effect of these

clashes. The UN should not ignore this fact.

36. Another area that the UN must address is the broader causes of terrorism

i.e poverty and over population. The World Bank calculates that at least one third

of the worlds countries, with 30-40% of the entire population of the world living

below the poverty line21. There are gross imbalances in economic development

within regions and those areas are socially disposed, unemployed and driven into

over crowded cities. At the same time, vast improvement in global

communication already ensures that all these people are well aware of the

growing gap between their poverty and wealth of the industrialized world.

Although there is no magic answer to the problem but no organization is,

however better suited to address this cause of violence and bridge the gap

between rich and poor states than the UN.

37. It is clear certainty that if the UN is not a vital part of any action against

terrorism and does not lead in many areas, the global war on terrorism will be

lost.

21 ibid.

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PART IV

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusions

38. Terrorism in fact is a global phenomenon. Hardly any country of the world

has escaped from the clutches of terrorism. Even the most prosperous countries

of the world are in its grip. In spite of all the means at their disposal, they are

unable to successfully contain it.

39. Terrorist use advanced technology obscuring code word and encrypted

messages from detection, making smooth international links for their illegal

activities.

40. There is no agreed definition of terrorism. Several international

conventions provide limited and restricted definition of terrorism. Defining

terrorism carelessly may have adverse consequences for neighboring concepts,

such as the right of self-determination.

41. It is necessary to understand the root causes of terrorism which lie mainly

in unbalanced education system, access to the weapons, humiliation of Muslims

and less understanding by the world community towards the conflicting interests

like Palestine, Kashmir etc.

42. By virtue of several UN resolutions passed over almost last three years,

the legal jurisdiction of law on terrorism has developed tremendously. These

resolutions have considerably filled in the gap left by treaties or conventions.

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43. UN has long been active in combating terrorism reflecting the

determination of international community to eliminate the threat but there are

many obstacles to the creation of an effective global alliance against international

terrorism, relying on the UN system.

44. The UN has to continue its efforts to find a better and more workable

international approach to terrorism strengthening international laws and the

means to enforce them.

45. The world is not dealing with global spillover of clashes between

civilizations, regions and nations that is also contributing to the international

terrorism.

46. The existing conventions on terrorism and the relationship of the states

ratifying or signing the same do not have the involvement of any international

organization in the implementation process of the conventions. For example, if

the convention emphasizes bilateral talks, it does not resort to third party or

international organization involvement for effectiveness of the talks.

47. There is no UN monitoring mechanism for domestic legislation or

administering the text of the conventions by the member states. The

interpretation is left to the states.

48. Terrorism will persist as long as there are economic conditions that

encourage the growth of hatred and deprivation. The UN is the forum at which

concerted efforts can be done to bridge the gap between rich and the poor

states.

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Recommendations

49. Conflict Resolution and Provision of Justice . The only super power

USA and their allies must remember that terrorism will be eradicated when

injustice ends and the agreed principles of resolving conflicts are followed without

any bias. Thus there is a need to avoid double standards for freedom fighters. It

is necessary to understand that the root causes of terrorism lay in political

injustice.

50. Consideration of Ongoing Changes in Technology. UN response to

deal with terrorism and asymmetric warfare must look far beyond the immediate

tactical challenges of dealing with terrorist organizations. It must consider several

major ongoing changes in technology that pose emerging threats far more

serious than the world has had to deal with in the past.

51. The Need for a Comprehensive Strategy . We have to recognize that

there are many obstacles to the creation of global alliance against international

terrorism. An alliance against the international terrorism cannot hold if we dont

agree on what is international terrorism. Can we come up with a common

definition? This is a challenge for the International Community which requires a

top priority.

52. Elimination of Economic Depravity. Terrorism will persist as long as

there are economic conditions that encourage the growth of hatred and

depravity. This huge task requires increased efforts to reduce and eventually

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eliminate unemployment and illiteracy and to promote a balanced education

system. A more equitable distribution of wealth at the global and the state level

would go a long way in addressing the causes of terrorism

53. Clash Between Civilizations. The war on international terrorism should

not be perceived as the clash of civilizations, equating terrorists with any

particular religion and culture like Islam. The UN must shape its peacekeeping

and nation building activities to bridge the gaps between religions and cultures.

UN efforts like economic and humanitarian aid can reassure the Islamic states

that West does not see Islam as an enemy.

54. Execution Instrument. There is a need to establish an international

organization or a secretariat under UN to watch and ensure that conventions are

being complied with or not, so that implementation is not left to the bilateral

arrangement of the member states.

55. Terrorism Prevention Branch of UN. It is recommended that terrorism

prevention branch of UN in Vienna may be converted into a separate secretariat

and entrusted to oversee the process of ratification of the existing conventions. It

should monitor the domestic legislation being made, understand the concerns

and reservations of the member states.

56. An End to Unilateralism. The unilateral use or threat of force against

any state based on an argument of anticipatory self-defence be discouraged and

viewed as illegal so that the states should refrain from using force unilaterally to

suppress terrorism. Many states, including U.S. allies, believe that unilateralism

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can actually weaken the very system of legal norms that the international

community has constructed to fight terrorism.

57. More Power to the UN . While the hopes of recourse to the UN and its

empowerment is optimistic for the world in confronting terror. It is a reality that it

is an impotent body without the capabilities to enforce global will through

consensus and military and financial means. The US has used UN and Security

Council as a post office and sometimes even by passing the formality of getting

accreditation for its actions from the UN for example while invading Iraq in 2003.

58. UN Sponsored Police. The UN Security Council being able to require

UN members to allow a UN-sponsored police force to enter countries and

conduct investigations, to freeze the assets of suspected terrorist groups, to

provide intelligence on them, to arrest them, and if the member country refuses

to do so, to send in an international military force to capture suspected terrorists.

Use international judicial bodies for trying terrorists, with a plurality.

59. Use of Diplomacy. The willingness of terrorists to commit suicide to

achieve their aims makes it very difficult to stop them. They cannot be deterred

by the rational threat of unacceptable damage. We cant just threaten to kill

them since thats what they want for themselves. The question now is whether

suicide bombings, once unleashed, can be stopped through diplomacy or force.

60. Measures Against Nuclear Terrorism. The rules and responsibilities for

the security of nuclear material have to be implemented to ensure that nuclear

materials do not fall into the wrong hands. It is necessary to take to strengthen

and expand programs to prevent nuclear-related terrorism. A possible solution

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can be, establishment of an international agency, which can provide the

necessary financial and technical assistance to all countries, which need help in

this field.

61. Enlightened Moderation . In the new century we must show maturity in

handling national and international conflicts. World peace can only be achieved

when the weak and the strong both try and make an honest effort to arrive at an

understanding on areas of conflict and accommodate each other by fulfilling their

roles22.

Conclusion

62. The problem of terrorism needs to be tackled vigorously at the different

levels by having rounds of direct dialogue between the aggrieved groups and the

state officials, as no person is a born terrorist. Steps must be taken to win the

confidence of the innocent and isolating the terrorists. The whole gamut of the

problem of terrorism requires a policy of firmness and forgiveness, to be followed

under different circumstances. Moreover, there is a dire need of solving all the

outstanding political and economic issues throughout the world. World powers

need to understand the underlying causes of terrorism around the globe and

demonstrate a great political will and requisite initiative to eradicate them.

Provision of justice and education to the masses is the key to eradicate the

menace of terrorism from the civilized world.

22 General Pervez Musharraf, Enlightened Moderation. Washington Post, June 2004.

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terrorism it's root

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