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The President's reassuring words

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's address to the nation on Sunday evening, while spelling out the priority tasks which would face her as the head of a Freedom Alliance government, underscored the crucial importance of her receiving a clear mandate from the people for the realisation of this agenda.

Accordingly, what is of paramount importance at this juncture is the granting of this mandate, for, the sovereign will of the people is the most vital dimension in democracy and it should be their unambiguous, overwhelming wish that the President should set out to achieve the goals she has outlined for them.

Although the recently released Freedom Alliance manifesto dealt elaborately with these aims, the President's reiteration of this agenda gives it cogency and a fuller measure of authority. Among other things, it helped clarify some vital issues, over which there is some confusion and puzzlement in some circles.

Foremost among these is the peace process. We have it now on the authority of the President that the future government under her would be continuing with the negotiation process with the LTTE, until an equitable or just solution is reached.

This pronouncement should eliminate doubts among some that nationalistic forces would be increasingly present in the future. On the contrary, an 'yes' vote for the President would enable her to work towards a just peace, eschewing narrow views.

The people of this land would also be reassured by the President's pledge to bring into being a humane and decent society, coupled with relief from the cost of living burden. The people are weary of government prevarications on the salary issue, which has been hanging fire for quite some time.

Immediate salary reforms are necessary for the alleviation of the cost of living, but the people too need to prove their industriousness and conscientiousness. Most often than not, sections believe in the myth of a "free lunch". It is time that this myth was shattered. While salary reforms need to be considered, people too need to practise the work ethic.

It is now taken as an unquestionable "given" that the present administration is steeped in corruption, while the process which is referred to as "selling the family silver", goes on unhindered. It is relieving to learn that the President has taken cognisance of this situation. No quarter should be given to the corrupt, including those holding high office, such as Ministers, and the necessary State bodies need to be fully activated for this purpose.

With the President firmly behind institutions such as the Bribery and Corruption Commission and the Police Commission, we are certain that corruption will be curbed.

The carnage in Spain

The bombs that ripped through four commuter trains in Madrid on Thursday, killing 200 innocent people, are a stark reminder that terrorism is the number one threat to civilised nations around the world. The blasts, described by the Spanish press as 'our own September 11', marked the arrival of mass-scale terrorism in Europe.

The United States experienced the deadliest terrorist attack ever, on September 11, 2001. Asia is practically an 'old hand' in this sphere, having regularly seen atrocities committed by various terrorist groups.

Although Spanish authorities initially blamed the Basque separatist group ETA for the attacks, new evidence increasingly points to the involvement of al-Queda, the terror network headed by the elusive Osama bin Laden.

Many believe that al-Queda could have targeted Spain because it was a staunch ally of the United States in its War on Terror. It also supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, which saw the ouster of Saddam Hussein's regime. Analysts were also quick to point out that the attack occurred on March 11, 2004, exactly 911 days after the 9-11 attacks in the US.

The truth is that no country is safe from terrorism of the most virulent kind. Terror networks operate across borders and cooperate with each other. They exchange weapons, personnel and technical know-how. They sometimes plan attacks together. This is why some analysts believe that the Madrid blasts may even have been 'authored' by more than one group. There are fears that terrorist groups could acquire nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, which is truly a nightmarish scenario.

In fact, terrorism has become a global phenomenon. All peace-loving nations must therefore respond as one to the menace of terrorism. Cutting off funding resources and activities of terrorist organisations, pursuing terrorist cells and leaders, exchanging information on terror networks and increasing surveillance are vital.

Intensified action against terror networks has indeed propelled some of them to enter into negotiations with the relevant governments or give up their destructive campaigns. But there are many others which are still very much active.

This means that Governments have to be lucky all the time, whereas terrorists have to be lucky only once. There is simply no substitute for eternal vigilance and heightened security. We may to forego some cherished liberties in this exercise, but that is a small price to pay for the greatest good of the greatest number.

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