A timely initiative

The Mumbai attack and the scale of destruction has galvanised nations especially those susceptible to terrorists attacks to move the United Nations to take more concrete steps to address this global menace that is posing a real threat to world peace as never before.

This was the theme at an open debate of the UN Security Council where participants unanimously called for the United Nations to play an even more meaningful role in the global fight against terrorism.

For long the UN body has been known to be dilly dallying on this score. At other times it has been hamstrung by such niceties as human right's etc. It can no long afford to procrastinate given huge inroads made by terrorists into hitherto safe enclaves. The attacks on Mumbai which was described as another 9/11 has more than anything driven home the vulnerability of states to sudden attacks of terror.

The recent wave of terror strikes across vast swathes of the Asian region perhaps has open the eyes of the world body to the real danger and the need to dismantle the global terrorist apparatus. It has been the earnest entreaty by Sri Lnaka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa at international for a collective initiative to deal with scourge of terrorism. This was also the main theme at the recent SAARC summit in Colombo where it was emphasized the issue be confronted as a grouping.

It is heartening to note that the UN has decided to deal from a perspective that terrorism is a global enterprise with vast networks of funding and other sustenance overlapping continents and the need to tackle the problem at the source.

Some of these terrorists groups even operate with the blessings of the states demonstrating the magnitude of the problem.

It was suggested that the UN improve coordination among programmes, with all organs making their appropriate contributions whether in security, capacity building, education, economic development or in relieving conditions that terrorists and extremists exploited.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressing parley called terrorism a leading threat to international peace and security said 'the world body was uniquely well placed' to lead the global efforts to combat the menace. "Combatting terrorism should be one of the international community's main priorities, " he said.

It is heartening to note especially for countries such as Sri Lanka which have been worse hit by terrorism that the international body is now thinking in terms of tackling the problem with more purpose and determination.

The US Ambassador to the UN Zaklmay Khalilzas said the United States strongly support the Central role of the United Nations in the global fight against terrorism.

No doubt the Mumbai attack has reinforced the resolve of the world body on the need to tackle global terrorism in a more effective way by extending it's reach beyond the traditional methods including putting in place the necessary structures to accomplish this task.

What is therefore needed is to consider the threat of terrorism from a global perspective unlike in the past where the subject of terrorism was treated in isolation specific to certain countries and from point of view of strategic interests. Today it is "terrorism incorporated" the problem assuming the status of a global enterprise with it's tentacles spread far and wide cutting across both physical and ideological borders.

It has grown beyond the limits that a single country or group of nations can tackle the problem on their own. It certainly calls for a global approach and initiative.

A worthy gesture

It has been reported that certain Five Star hotels have decided to scale down on their celebrations during the up coming festival while others have cancelled their programmes in toto. If as their stated objective is to empathise with the soldiers making tremendous sacrifices on the battle front then this gesture will be appreciated by all patriotic citizens. It has to be admitted that most among us who are far removed from the theatre of conflict act without a sense of responsibility or feeling for our valiant men and women on the battle field or fellow citizens in far flung villagers who face the brunt of the war.

Some of us do not pause to ponder that we can carry with our revelry and other indulgences thanks to efforts of our solders resisting the enemy and the human buffer provided by these citizens.

A big show is made of donations and other largesse dispensed by the corporate sector to our soldiers and less fortunate brethren. But these are often done under the full glare of publicity.

Already the streets, pavements and supermarkets are flooded with shoppers with a view to stock up for Christmas and the New year. The open economy and the unbridled consumerism it spawned have apparently robbed our people of their good sentiments. It is time that the more responsible among us take the lead in promoting moderation. Certainly there is nothing wrong with celebrating an event such as Christmas or the New Year.

But there needs to be circumspection and a delving into our conscience. Let us hope this gesture of the Hotels would serve to catalyse a more down to earth perspective among all.