Monday, April 12, 1993
TERRORISM AND WORLD INSECURITY
In recent editorials, Iran was universally recognized as the source of the double threat of state-sponsored terrorism and Islamic extremism. But beyond this fear and condemnation, journalists found little common ground that would compel both North and South, and Arab and non-Arab nations to work together to combat the global threat of terrorism. For example, Egyptian and Algerian papers were in the forefront in charging U.S. complicity in the current instability in the Middle East. Those commentators asserted that the United States had promoted Islamic fundamentalism during the Afghanistan War and had further added to regional instability by alternately encouraging Iraq and Iran.
(...)
"Who Will Anti-Terrorism Front Target?"
Editor-in-chief Adel Hussein wrote in labor opposition party weekly Al-Shaab (4/10), "The most serious element in President Mubarak's statements (during his last foreign tour) is his urgent call to create a unified international front to combat terrorism.... We would like to know who this front will target?... While we will endorse a front which opposes all kinds of international terrorism, including that of the Serbs and the Israelis, we do not believe that President Mubarak's (Western) audience will be receptive to such an idea."
(...)
"Islamic Extremism Threat Has Links To Afghanistan War"
Salama Ahmed Salama, senior columnist wrote (4/8) in Al Ahram, "The links between extremist groups in Egypt and groups of Arab volunteers...who participated in the Afghanistan War are very real. Until recently, the United States has continued to supervise these [Peshawar-based groups], assisting them through financial and organizational [means]. No American official has denied reports that the CIA continues to control these elements in Peshawar, an area which has become a nursery for exporting terrorism.... Uncovering the reasons behind U.S. assistance to these elements is urgently required. Effort should also be exerted to stop [further American support for these groups]."
(...)
"Can Anybody Explain U.S. Contradictory Posture Regarding Iran?"
This editorial appeared in influential, pro-government Al-Akhbar (4/11), "Two news article reported that, first, the United States...is considering...selling arms to Iran and, second, supports the international move to impose trade sanctions against the Iranian regime.... Can anybody explain the blatant contradiction between two statements issued on the same day by the world's superpower, concerning its policy toward one country?"
http://www.fas.org/irp/news/1993/930412f.htm
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/ dave /