Britain becomes target of choice for terrorists in Europe

BRITAIN: Washington's close ally Britain has emerged as Europe's target of choice for Islamist extremists and the weak link in the war against terrorism, with its poorly integrated and disaffected Muslim minority.

Hit in the heart of London last year, Britain has foiled an alleged new plot against US-bound passenger jets, days before the fifth anniversary of the suicide airline hijackings of September 11, 2001 in the United States.

"Why us? What have we done to deserve this?" is the piercing question repeated during televised debates.

The public replies by pointing the finger at Prime Minister Tony Blair's foreign policy: the alliance with US President George W. Bush in Iraq, in Afghanistan and most recently in Israel's war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Seventy-two percent of people surveyed in a recent poll believe that the nation's foreign policy has increased the threat of a terrorist attack and helped make Britain a target.

Thirty-eight Muslim organizations last month sent an open letter to Blair denouncing his policy which gives "ammunition to extremists who threaten us all" and puts "civilians at increased risk both in the UK and abroad."

Britain's predicament is all the more troubling because most of the men implicated in the spate of bombings and failed attacks in London last year as well as the alleged plot this year to blow up airliners are British Muslims.

However, the authorities are accused of failing to follow up on a dialogue with Britain's 1.6 million Muslims that was initiated in the wake of the attacks last year.

The committees that were set up have made 60 proposals, yet only a few have been endorsed.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly launched an appeal Thursday for reviving "a new and honest debate" on multiculturalism, the British model for integration.The radicalisation in the Muslim community is evident.

Moderate Muslims represented by the Muslim Council of Britain are distrusted and publicly denounced by many Muslims simply because they agree to talk with government ministers or members of parliament.

London, Thursday, AFP