August 19, 2013
Akahata editorial
This month marks 50 years since Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the “I have a dream” speech in front of 250,000 people at a rally in Washington D.C. In his lecture at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in 1964, King stated, “[V]iolence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones.”
At an award ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize four years ago, U.S. President Barack Obama described himself as a “direct consequence of Dr. King's life work”. He, however, also said, “There will be times when nations – acting individually or in concert – will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.”
UN secretary general criticizes use of drone warfare
The U.S. is strengthening its drone attacks in Pakistan and Yemen. Last month, the monthly number of drone strikes in the U.S. “fight against terrorism” operation reportedly reached a record high since the beginning of this year. It was also reported worldwide that an exhibition of various unmanned aircraft, held in Washington D.C. last month, was very well attended.
The Obama administration places the drone attacks, which can be conducted without threatening the lives of military personnel, as a key component in the “fight against terrorism”. Meanwhile, international criticism is increasing over the U.S. military intervention and the killing of scores of innocent civilians in foreign countries.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on August 13 in Pakistan severely criticized the U.S. drone attacks by saying, “[T]he use of armed drones, like any other weapon, should be subject to long-standing rules of international law, including international humanitarian law. This is the very clear position of the United Nations.”
The Pakistani government has spoken out against the U.S. drone attacks, arguing that the bombing is infringing its sovereignty. In particular, collateral damage on innocent citizens is sparking public outrage. Such military strikes, in some ways, incite an increase in terrorist acts rather than decreasing them. The hegemonic policy of the United States is creating severe contradictions.
The U.S. administration has temporarily closed their diplomatic offices in the Middle East this month by claiming that the international terrorist group al-Qaeda is planning to attack U.S. diplomatic missions abroad. Among al-Qaeda-related groups, the Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is reportedly increasing its activities. The United States is increasing drone strikes also in Yemen.
The Obama administration, when killing Osama bin Laden in Pakistan two years ago, stressed that it had tracked down the terrorists. However, the present situation is making it clear that military force cannot get rid of terrorism. Terrorism is by no means acceptable, but the unjustifiable way of fighting against terrorism will only create another difficulty.
Attack structure of poverty and injustice
In retaliation for the 2001 terror attacks in the United States, the then Bush administration waged a war in Afghanistan. That was a mistake in the first place. Obama, who used to criticize Bush, has compounded the mistake. “Obama’s war” is now spreading the “fight against terrorism” around the world.
As a way to tackle terrorism, it is necessary to bring terrorists to justice and attack the institutionalized structure of poverty and injustice which constitute a breeding ground for terrorism. The outrageous use of force which only causes further injustice is impermissible in promoting international cooperation essential to this effect.
This month marks 50 years since Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the “I have a dream” speech in front of 250,000 people at a rally in Washington D.C. In his lecture at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in 1964, King stated, “[V]iolence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones.”
At an award ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize four years ago, U.S. President Barack Obama described himself as a “direct consequence of Dr. King's life work”. He, however, also said, “There will be times when nations – acting individually or in concert – will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.”
UN secretary general criticizes use of drone warfare
The U.S. is strengthening its drone attacks in Pakistan and Yemen. Last month, the monthly number of drone strikes in the U.S. “fight against terrorism” operation reportedly reached a record high since the beginning of this year. It was also reported worldwide that an exhibition of various unmanned aircraft, held in Washington D.C. last month, was very well attended.
The Obama administration places the drone attacks, which can be conducted without threatening the lives of military personnel, as a key component in the “fight against terrorism”. Meanwhile, international criticism is increasing over the U.S. military intervention and the killing of scores of innocent civilians in foreign countries.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on August 13 in Pakistan severely criticized the U.S. drone attacks by saying, “[T]he use of armed drones, like any other weapon, should be subject to long-standing rules of international law, including international humanitarian law. This is the very clear position of the United Nations.”
The Pakistani government has spoken out against the U.S. drone attacks, arguing that the bombing is infringing its sovereignty. In particular, collateral damage on innocent citizens is sparking public outrage. Such military strikes, in some ways, incite an increase in terrorist acts rather than decreasing them. The hegemonic policy of the United States is creating severe contradictions.
The U.S. administration has temporarily closed their diplomatic offices in the Middle East this month by claiming that the international terrorist group al-Qaeda is planning to attack U.S. diplomatic missions abroad. Among al-Qaeda-related groups, the Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is reportedly increasing its activities. The United States is increasing drone strikes also in Yemen.
The Obama administration, when killing Osama bin Laden in Pakistan two years ago, stressed that it had tracked down the terrorists. However, the present situation is making it clear that military force cannot get rid of terrorism. Terrorism is by no means acceptable, but the unjustifiable way of fighting against terrorism will only create another difficulty.
Attack structure of poverty and injustice
In retaliation for the 2001 terror attacks in the United States, the then Bush administration waged a war in Afghanistan. That was a mistake in the first place. Obama, who used to criticize Bush, has compounded the mistake. “Obama’s war” is now spreading the “fight against terrorism” around the world.
As a way to tackle terrorism, it is necessary to bring terrorists to justice and attack the institutionalized structure of poverty and injustice which constitute a breeding ground for terrorism. The outrageous use of force which only causes further injustice is impermissible in promoting international cooperation essential to this effect.
