recent YORK, March 12 Kyodo exce...

recent YORK, March 12 Kyodo

excellented editorial excerpts from the U press:

SPAIN'S 3/11 (The Wall road Journal, New York)

likewise much for the illusion that the global war forward terror isn't really a war. That complacent notion, which has been infiltrating its way into the American public mind, blew up along with 10 bomb upon trains carrying Spanish commuter yesterday forward their way to work in Madrid.

The terrorists are right about our Spanish friends. The control of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has done as often as any country's to assist in the war forward terror, including the dispatch of numbers to Iraq. The Spanish have had their be in possession of long experience with Basque terrorism, likewise they understand better than many other Europeans what it is like to have innocent civilians slaughtered.

If the culprits are ETA, Thursday's bombing exhibits a gruesome change in tactics. The form into groups has usually targeted politicians and critics and given warning of attacks onward civilians. Its highest previous death toll was 21 in a Barcelona supermarket blast in 1987 Planting bomb in succession a packed train would reveal a of recent origin ETA ruthlessness -- and desperation.

forward the other hand, the targeting of civilians is a trademark of al Qaida. in such a manner is the large-scale, coordinated assault, like as yesterday's 10 bomb exploding within a 15-minute span. With airports now teeming with security, a commuter train is the kind ''soft target'' that is not well shielded and can do maximum human damage.

The danger is that we will formerly again return to the ''law enforcement'' mindset that dominated the world's handling of terrorism before 9/11 This view assumes that, however awful, terrorism is an endurable tragedy that can be prosecut after the fact, like a homicide in Chicago. John Kerry has been explicit in recommending this kind of policy.

The Madrid bombings are a reminder that terrorism remains the largest single threat to Western freedom and security. It threatens each country that refuses to cower in fear and dares to take the battle to the terrorists.

We've made large strides in this war since 9/11 thanks in part to friends like the Spanish. Their in every one's mouth grief should inspire America's renewed determination.

(March 12)

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo just discovereds International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group