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| Tuesday, 3 August 2004 |
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BIMST-EC's anti-terror initiative by Lynn Ockersz The resolve by BIMST-EC member states to join hands in combating "international terrorism" could prove a powerful temptation for some observers to reopen the hair-splitting debate of yesteryear on who a terrorist is.
It may be recalled that more than a decade ago even SAARC agonized over this issue when it shored-up its convention on the suppression of terrorism, but an universally - acceptable definition on the identity of a terrorist, it seems, is yet to emerge. However, those in the forefront of the struggle for a profoundly value-based international political order recognize terror when they see it - that is, the wanton and barbaric taking and maiming of life and limb in complete violation of humanistic norms, laws and values. By these standards, most of the current warfare and violence in the world would need to be condemned as naked terror. To be sure, the cold-blooded and brutal beheading of those abducted by Iraqi militants is unmistakable terrorism and deserves the most vehement condemnation. The same strictures, however, apply to the bombing of civilian centres, for instance, by those seen as aggressors by sections of the Iraqi people, which causes the deaths of scores of innocents. Coming back to the BIMST-EC initiative on jointly combating terror, it seems that the "project" is based substantially on what is called a "law and order" approach to the curbing of terrorism. Initial reports said that, for instance, the seven countries had pledged "not to allow the use of their territory by terrorist groups launching attacks on friendly governments". There is also a willingness among them to "share information and capacity-building by sharing training programs in intelligence capacity-building". While it would be patently unfair to aim at a comprehensive assessment of the BIMST-EC initiative on the basis of these sketchy initial reports, it needs to be pointed out that it would not meet with the desired level of public acceptance and would not prove substantially effective in defusing the terror problem, if it is seen as being linked in some way with the US-led "war on global terror". Right now, the language with which the BIMST-EC initiative is being described seems to suggest a commonality of aims with the US-led global anti-terror project. A case in point is the phrase "international terror". Nevertheless, the BIMST-EC anti-terror initiative - if these initial reports are anything to go by - has more of a law-and-order or militaristic approach to the resolving of "terror" and less of a political or reformist approach. The question is, how effective would a militaristic approach prove in the curbing of terror. India, which is in the forefront of the BIMST-EC initiative, interestingly, has the answer. Right now, the Indian central government has reportedly extended its ceasefire with the Nagaland rebels in India's North-East frontier. This has raised hopes of the decades-long conflict being finally resolved politically. No doubt, a political resolution of the Nagaland rebellion would involve the granting of more regional autonomy to the insurgency-scarred state. Nevertheless, the point to appreciate is that the ceasing of fire has placed the antagonists in the Nagaland conflict in a frame of mind to prolong political negotiations, thereby enhancing peace prospects. There are lessons here for regional groupings, such as BIMST-EC, which are gearing to curb "terror". The trouble-spots of the world, including Iraq, are illustrative of how a militaristic approach by big powers to quelling what is seen as terror, proves ineffective. "Terror" - countering measures, therefore, need to stress the political approach to its resolution, such as recognizing and granting the legitimate rights of one's opponents and, generally, finding peace by peaceful means. |
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