Washington to force cooperation on terror
WASHINGTON: The Bush administration on Friday, in newly compiled guidelines on counter-terror strategy, said it would lead the fight against global terror by seeking help from other nations but would act alone if needed. The strategy document also says the United States will, if necessary, “compel” other countries to root out terror operations within their borders if they fail to cooperate willingly. “The United States will constantly strive to enlist the support of the international community in this fight against a common foe,” the document said. “If necessary, however, we will not hesitate to act alone, to exercise our right to self-defense, including acting pre-emptively against terrorists to prevent them from doing harm to our people and our country.” It said that in countries where terror groups are known to operate, United States would seek partnerships to root out the groups, help to build up institutions in “weak but willing” states or rally diplomatic pressure to convince reluctant states to cooperate. “Where states are unwilling, we will act decisively to counter the threat they pose, and, ultimately to compel them to cease supporting terrorism,” it said. The United States is currently engaged in a diplomatic battle with France and other countries over President George Bush’s campaign to dismantle Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction programs, which he has linked to his war on terrorism launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Bush has vowed to bypass the United Nations and lead a coalition of like-minded nations against Iraq if the United Nations fails to enforce a resolution last year to disarm Iraq. France, Germany, Russia and China all are seeking to forestall an early decision on whether to go to war. A senior administration official briefing reporters on the guidelines said they embody priorities followed since the September 11 attacks, which led Bush to declare war on terrorism and attack Afghanistan to oust the Taliban regime accused of sheltering the Al Qaeda network blamed for the attacks. International terrorism, the official said, “will be with us for some time. The trick is to get it down to levels so we can go about our normal lives.” Main elements of the administration’s strategy are attacking the command structures of terror networks, denying support and sanctuary to terror groups, diminishing underlying conditions that fuel support for such groups, and defending the United States homeland. The document complements other administration strategy guidelines on national security, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security. —Reuters