FEAR EVERYWHERE

The Spanish government made a statement before the dimensions of the incident were well understood: ‘This is ETA’s work.’ Nobody wanted to believe in it. Everyone suspected an attack by al Qaeda. But Madrid insisted: ‘Other scenarios don’t work. This is ETA’s work.’ When people began to think that the Spanish government had knowledge of the attacks, the truth came out. The reason for the hasty finger-pointing at ETA was the government’s election plans. Its main aim was to turn the fight against ETA into votes even while the injured were still crying out for help. Though the government fell after the elections and paid the price for its hasty lie, the incident became a historical lesson and an example of trying to use terrorism as a political tool.

What wouldn’t a mentality that uses terrorism against its own people even during times of bloodshed then do to other countries and their people that are under a terrorist threat? Terrorism has hit Europe’s heart, and it’s in a panic. The European Union will appoint a special commissar to coordinate the fight against terrorism. The EU interior ministers have been invited for an immediate meeting to discuss anti-terror measures. France wants both the EU and UN to meet immediately. Troops in Germany are now required to patrol train stations. The Belgian government stated that it had taken ‘measures both visible and covert to protect its people.’

The Netherlands is reminding everyone that it wasn’t one of the first countries to cooperate with the US in its war against Iraq and is praying this will protect it from terrorist attacks. In a panic, the Dutch government decided to discuss in Parliament a bill on fighting terrorism. Under this law, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have ties to terrorist groups or pose a threat to public order will be banned. French President Jacques Chirac also gathered a summit on the fight against terrorism. Its security alert rose from yellow to orange. Troops will be given more domestic security duties. Greece has requested help from NATO for security in the upcoming Olympics. The EU countries are discussing suspending the Schengen Treaty that currently allows free movement.

There is fear all around. Will this fear bring Europeans to their senses? Would Europe have acted in a same unified way if bombs had exploded in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia or Kenya, as it for Spain? Would Europeans who didn’t declare Spain a dangerous area but released advisories warning, ‘Don’t travel to Turkey, it’s dangerous’ after we were hit by attacks understand that they aided terrorism? Would they cease calling terror a ‘struggle for freedom’ when it strikes at Turkey or other countries? If we look at their reports on Turkey, they are far from that point. I hope one massacre will suffice for them to finally understand.”