September 14, 2001
EDITORIAL: Allies Against Terror
If the United States is to combat terrorism effectively in the weeks ahead it will have to act in concert with other nations, including a number of Islamic countries. President Bush has recognized the need for international cooperation in his public statements and conversations with foreign leaders since the terror attacks on New York and Washington. Like his father in the Persian Gulf war, he must build a coalition of nations that is prepared to act.
Global coalition-building has not come easily to the Bush administration. In his first months Mr. Bush has tended to stress independent American action, especially in matters of defense. The United States will also be asking for assistance that some nations will not give easily. America's allies and even its rivals must agree to bring their governmental resources to bear against terrorist groups. Members of these organizations must be tracked down in their travels, and any government or organization that gives them aid or sanctuary must be punished by a united international community.
To this end, the administration must mobilize traditional allies like its NATO partners, which are obligated by treaty to help America defend itself when it is attacked, and which have given assurances that they will do so. Washington is right to try to enlist other countries as well, including Russia and China, nations that face serious terrorist threats themselves.
Mr. Bush must also seek cooperation from responsible Arab and Islamic governments, just as his father did in preparing to drive Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. A particularly difficult challenge is posed by Pakistan, a traditional American ally that now acts as unofficial patron to Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement. The Taliban is believed to be sheltering the most dangerous international terrorist, Osama bin Laden. Although no conclusive evidence has yet linked Mr. bin Laden to this week's attacks, he is among the chief suspects. Washington made clear yesterday that its patience with Pakistan is rapidly running out.
A different kind of problem is posed by the handful of governments that sponsor or aid international terrorist groups. These include Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya and North Korea. Several of those nations now seek to rebuild ties with the international community. The price for their acceptance must include a complete severing of all links with terrorist organizations. Terrorism operates internationally. The war against it must be organized internationally as well.
Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company
