LONDON -- U.S. President George W Bush's State of the Union message to Congress was unequivocal about the need to eradicate terrorists wherever they may be hiding. After the horrific incidents of Sept. 11, Americans and their friends must support policies that will make a repetition of such incidents extremely unlikely. But some of America's friends in Europe, including many British, are concerned that even if the military battle is nearly won, the psychological battle is far from won.
The unfortunate picture of the prisoners in Cuba in chains and cages may seem right to those who suffered so much, but exacting revenge can lead to escalating violence. The United States claims that the captives are not prisoners of war and that the Geneva conventions accordingly do not apply to them, but there has been no independent verification that those being held are unlawful combatants and that the conventions are inapplicable. Many fear that the Americans are setting a dangerous precedent for future combat. Terrorism is horrific and despicable, but in fighting the criminals to preserve human life we need to respect human rights and maintain civilized justice.
In response to suicide-bomber attacks, the Israelis have caused many more deaths and damage among Palestinians than they themselves have suffered. They appear to scorn the rights of Palestinians to live and work in Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon tragically does not understand that Israeli forces are not just punishing terrorists but also inflicting great suffering on innocent people including, thus inciting further acts of violence.