UN gives suggestions on defining terrorism

The United Nations is in full support of the comprehensive anti-terrorism bill that is presently being drafted by our government. We would like to cite past insights on the subject of terrorism by persons who have studied the problem in depth. The first problem has always been to define terrorism. On this matter, Georgetown University Professor William V. O’ Brien, had this to say: "As often happens with controversial terms, terrorism is seldom explicitly defined. Terrorism is war of a kind, and it may be used as a subordinate strategy within wars that otherwise follow traditional military patterns. Terrorism’s uniqueness lies in its use of armed force against targets that would be exceptional or aberrational in regular warfare, with results that have little to do with traditional military necessity. Terrorism is usually carried out by small groups, directed against targets chosen for their potential shock effect rather than their military utility. Its purpose is to create an environment of fear, apprehension and loss of confidence in the existing security systems so that they are weakened and likely to collapse."

In his book, Political Terrorism, Grant Wardlaw defined it as: "The use, or threat of use, of violence by an individual or a group, whether acting for or in opposition to established authority, when such action is designed to create extreme anxiety and/or fear-inducing effects in a target group larger than the immediate victims with the purpose of coercing that group into acceding to the political demands of the perpetrators."

In eight days, we will be starting our Holy Week celebration and already the authorities are taking all measures to prevent a repetition of the Valentine’s Day bombings. Drastic measures are being taken to secure seaports, airports and railway stations and bus terminals because hundreds of thousands of people will celebrate the occasion in their home provinces. In our opinion, the place to add particular surveillance will be the churches. The Armed Forces and the Police did an excellent job of ensuring peace and order in our cemeteries last All Saints and All Souls joint celebration. We hope they can do the same for the churches this coming Holy Week.

Terrorism is the most senseless crime. It achieves nothing and victimizes innocent people who have nothing to do whatsoever with the problem. Its only purpose is to call attention to the existence of the terrorists.

All terrorists are criminals and they have total disregard for all laws. We emphasize this because even war has rules outlawing certain tactics. First and foremost is that you don’t shoot helpless civilians. Terrorists pick on the most defenseless sector of society. Their purpose is not military conquest, but just to kill as many people and destroy as much property as possible with minimum risk to themselves.