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Worldwide media reactions to the Oklahoma City Big Bang
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 95 21:34:50 EDT
From: Sam Sternberg <[email protected]>
Subject: Foreign media on the Okl. bombing
This from one of the least know news sources on the net. I will eventually
get around to including it on my list and at my news sites. Sam Sternberg
You can check the site out at Gopher://198.80.36.82
OKLAHOMA BOMBING: TERRORISM, 'MADE IN THE USA'
(Foreign Media Reaction Daily Digest)
Foreign analysts commented extensively on the apprehension of
right-wing militant Americans as suspects in the bombing of the
federal building in Oklahoma City and President Clinton's rapid
marshaling of the resources of the federal government to aid the
victims and pursue the investigation.
Opinionmakers continued to warn that all societies--including
democratic ones--are vulnerable to acts of terrorism, and that
the fundamental question facing American leaders is how to fend
off attacks on their open, freedom-loving society without
overreacting. Echoing a troubling theme among many commentators,
Bangkok's English-language, independent Nation observed, "For
America, where the debate about individual rights, and in
particular the right to bear arms, has always been fiercely
fought, a new look needs to be taken when the right to free
speech and association begins to impinge on the common citizen's
right to be free of fear."
In light of the arrests of the American suspects, many observers
moved from earlier speculations on what organization or persons
could have committed the bombing and reflections on U.S. foreign
policy to commentary on the current direction of U.S. society.
There were many critics who raised questions about the hard-right
wave sweeping the U.S. and the various fora in which the
right-wing message is conveyed. Several media voices blamed
right-wing talk showhosts for fomenting an atmosphere of hate and
intolerance in America, and asked if these radio personalities
were not morally guilty of encouraging anti-government
extremists.
Many media outlets praised President and Mrs. Clinton for their
handling of the situation. A number of papers declared that the
president now had restored his leadership role and "relevance."
London's conservative Times noted, "From the moment the bomb went
off, Americans looked to [Mr. Clinton], not to Newt Gingrich or
Robert Dole, to rally the nation and articulate their anger and
grief."
Commentators in Muslim countries were relieved at the revelation
that their coreligionists appear not to have been involved in the
attack. They lauded President Clinton's efforts to avoid
accusing any group without clear evidence. Many, however,
expressed anger and resentment at the American press, which had
so quickly pointed a finger their way. Several dailies charged
that the Western press is an instrument of Zionists who--seeking
to advance the goals and policies of Israel--take every
opportunity to fan the flames of anti-Muslim sentiment in the
U.S.
There were many editorialists who were hopeful that democratic
and civilized countries would be strengthened and galvanized as
they seek to deal with the scourge of terrorism. Writers were
convinced that the underlying principles of democracy--including
transparency and justice--were the greatest weapons of all to
remedy the barbarism and savagery of terrorism.
This survey is based on 120 reports from 41 countries, April
21-24.
EDITORS: Pat McArdle and Diana McCaffrey
EUROPE
BRITAIN: "Clinton Administration Handled This With Firmness"
BBC TV's Breakfast news aired this lead report by Wesley Kerr
from Oklahoma (4/24): "Amid the national mourning, America's
leaders signalled a tough clampdown on the extreme right-wing
forces apparently responsible for the country's worst act of
terrorism.... The Clinton administration has handled this crisis
and criminal investigation with firmness."
"Important Political Repercussions"
The centrist Independent said (4/24), "Signs are growing that the
Oklahoma City bomb outrage may have important political
repercussions in the United States, both for the fire-breathing
world of conservative talk radio, and for the radical
Republicanism the talk show hosts so venerate. With every
indication that the car bomb was an act of extreme right-wing
domestic terrorism, the first fingers are being pointed in the
direction of the Republican right. Its crude pro-gun,
anti-government rhetoric, many claim, may have been taken too
literally by the men who destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah building,
killing scores of government workers.... The Republican Party
may emerge little scathed from the political fall-out of Oklahoma
City. The same may not be true of some of the talk-show hosts.
Some of them have publicly urged armed marches on Washington by
the assault weapons faithful. The widely-followed Mr. Liddy has
gone one better, by instructing listeners how to shoot dead ATF
agents."
"Americans Looked To Clinton"
The conservative Times noted (4/24), "The Oklahoma bombing has
resolved for good the question President Clinton was forced to
confront during a White House press conference the previous
night--was he still relevant as a political leader? From the
moment the bomb went off, Americans looked to him, not to Newt
Gingrich or Robert Dole, to rally the nation and articulate their
anger and grief. It was he who ordered the biggest manhunt in
U.S. history, and he who devoted all available federal resources
to the search for survivors....
"Mr. Clinton has used this unexpected opportunity well, coming
across as angry but resolute and very much in charge.... Mr.
Clinton, who has spent the past few weeks seeking to portray the
Republicans as extremists, may also benefit from the bombing's
longer-term political fallout. "
GERMANY: "Terrorism, 'Made In The USA'"
Centrist Stuttgarter Zeitung and centrist Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger
carrying an editorial by Washington correspondent Juergen Koar
(4/24), "This is a new shock for the American people....
Terrorism is not only an import article, brought into the country
by evil foreigners, but is also 'Made in the USA.'...
"The real challenge to the American people now, however, consists
of fending off attacks on their open, freedom-loving society
without overreacting.... The fact is that violence is rampant in
the United States, that conflicts are all too often resolved with
the help of a weapon.
"Not more prisons are needed but the voice of reason, moral
leadership and a new conscience. When politicians now say what
the voters want to hear instead of courageously standing up to
them, this is short-sighted. It has become fashionable to bitch
about the government because it allegedly stands in the way of
the individual's search for happiness, pulls the money out of
everybody's pockets, and constantly issues rules and regulations
that make life more complicated and only benefit the others. It
is with this simplification that elections are won in the United
States. Anybody who rides this wave should ask himself whether
this 'anti-stance' does not foster a general mood that creates
hate and instills in dangerous lunatics the idea of taking the
law into their own hands."
"Attack Will Strengthen Federal Government"
Right-of-center Die Welt of Berlin front-paged this editorial by
Manfred Rowold (4/24): "The attack, which was obviously aimed at
the federal power in Washington, will contribute to a
strengthening rather than a weakening of the central
authorities."
FRANCE: "Domestic Extremism"
Private TV TF-1 commented (4/22), "The fact that the attack stems
from domestic extremism makes the Americans think about their own
values. And that is very worrisome for them today."
"Rooting Out Militias"
According to a commentary in conservative Le Figaro (4/24),
"After the Oklahoma bombing, the U.S. administration will
certainly be tempted to root out militias. Paranoid, these
groups are probably expecting it."
ITALY: "Bill And Hillary To American Children: A Winning Move"
Washington correspondent Paolo Passarini noted in centrist La
Stampa (4/23), "The White House has decided to place children at
the center of the message the President and Mrs. Clinton will
launch to the country following the massacre in Oklahoma City....
It was a popular, but winning move because everyone felt it was
inspired by a true feeling: Children represent the future of
everything and of all."
"Astonishing"
A commentary by Vittorio Zucconi from Oklahoma City in centrist
La Stampa (4/22) read, "If the 'neo-Nazis' track resolutely and
courageously beaten by the U.S. government is the right one, the
news is even more depressing than we expected.... In fact, it
tells us what we do not want to admit, i.e. that terror is among
us and not outside us.... America finds itself vulnerable two
times, to bombs as well as to the bloody folly of its own
citizens....It would have been by far more comfortable, and
paradoxically more reassuring, to glimpse the profile of the new
'Enemy,' of the 'bloody Muslim,' behind the Oklahoma coffins.
"The comfort, if there is comfort, comes from the demonstration
that democracies are vulnerable but not defenseless, and can
respond without betraying themselves.
"With all the caution suggested by too rapid arrests, the speed
of FBI investigations in this case, as well as in the World Trade
Center attack, is astonishing and a little depressing for us
Italians, who are used to the unresolved mysteries of decades
ago. These American arrests tell us that a modern, well
organized police, equipped with the most sophisticated
informative instruments, can respond to the challenge of hatred,
be it internal or external."
BELGIUM: "People Of Flesh And Blood Work For Federal Goverment"
Foreign affairs writer Roger Huisman observed in conservative
Catholic Het Belang van Limburg (4/24), "The de-facto state of
siege, which has existed since the explosion on Wednesday, has
restored Clinton fully in his function and has shown him as the
real leader in the United States....
"Oklahoma will be a core issue in next year's presidential
elections and Clinton's Republican opponents will be careful in
their attacks against the federal government. Their message that
the state is a bogeyman who is only seeking to cheat the citizen
and to patronize him will sound like hollow rhetoric. Through
the attack in Oklahoma it has become clear that the
administration and its officials are more than an anonymous
Moloch, that people of blood and flesh work for that federal
government who, as decent parents, dropped their babies in the
day care center."
CANADA: "Terror Can Be Beaten"
The leading Toronto Globe and Mail commented (4/21), "The real
question in Oklahoma City is not why it happened but why it did
not happen before.... The reason is simple: Such mass attacks
are not very effective...they seldom force governments to change
their policies.... The IRA learned this lesson the hard
way...discredited. The IRA was forced...to sue for peace....
There will of course, be other attacks like this week's bombing.
But if civilized governments are implacable, and smart, they will
win out in the end. Terror can be beaten. Ask the IRA."
"Vulnerable U.S., Western Society"
The liberal Montreal Gazette opined (4/21), "Fortress America is
vulnerable.... Having emerged from the shadow of the Cold War
nuclear threat, Western society seems suddenly so vulnerable to a
different evil: A random act of savagery that can occur anywhere
at any time. It is, in some ways, even scarier."
PORTUGAL: "Don't Overreact To Terrorism"
Influential, national Publico (4/23) observed in a piece by Joao
Carlos Espada, guest professor at Brown University and former
adviser to Portuguese President Soares: "Although the Oklahoma
attack has barbaric proportions never reached by the IRA before,
the British fight against terrorism may teach some lessons....
'Not to overreact to terrorism': That is the British example.
That does not mean that the English have not been forced to
significantly increase security measures in public places and,
especially, in government buildings. But everything is carried
out with the utmost sobriety and the same intransigent
faithfulness to liberal traditions that have distinguished
England for centuries....
"It is important that America honor its own liberal traditions
now: Going after the terrorists and bringing them to justice as
President Clinton has announced, adopting security measures and
following the English example: 'Not to overreact to terrorism.'"
SLOVENIA: "Usurping Legitimate Political Ideas For Murderous
Action"
Barbara Kramzar said in left-of-center, independent Republika
(4/24), "The ideas supported by McVeigh and a part of the
Michigan police are also a reflection of the rightist political
philosophy that is more and more (predominant) in the United
States.... It has to be said that ideas of the American
political right...increasingly influence political and everyday
life in the United States. Radio speakers of the Rush Limbaugh
type...with their undisguised hatred for everything left of
center, are very influential on the American political stage....
They advocate the very ideas which McVeigh carried out so
violently....
"The Republican revolution which has been changing the American
political scene since the Republican victory...is at least
slightly influenced by these ideas.... The Republican
presidential candidates will most probably be more cautious in
courting the rightist religious extremists. After the Oklahoma
events, they will have to take a step further, and define clearly
the line up to which insane individuals of the McVeigh type can
usurp legitimate political ideas for their own murderous
actions."
SPAIN: "Nazis"
Liberal-left El Pais concluded editorially (4/24), "They (the
perpetrators) are Nazis and they have proliferated thanks to an
antiliberal, fanatical and ultraconservative message preached
through the mass media: a message against intellectuals, Jews
and taxes."
"Difficult To Combat Terrorism In Open, Free Societies"
Center-left El Mundo commented (4/24), "The Japanese terrorist
threat on Disneyland underscores how defenseless open, free
societies are against this type of action which is much more
difficult to combat than the danger presented by a conventional
military enemy. It is not only a question of public order...but
also of education because the birthplace of many sects can be
found in ignorance and lack of information."
TURKEY: "We Must All Cooperate To Fight This Random Insanity"
In the view of Hasan Cemal on mass-appeal Sabah's page one
(4/24), "The bomb..in Oklahoma City proved that the richest and
strongest country also has its share of terrorism.... Another
strong and rich country, Japan, is experiencing terrorism....
Terrorism has already become a part of our daily life (in
Turkey).... Terrorism is univeral.... All of humanity must
cooperate to fight against this random insanity.... There no
longer should be rhetoric on international and bilateral
cooperation against terrorism."
MIDDLE EAST
EGYPT: "Cold Shower On U.S. Media"
Deputy managing editor Assem El Quersh wrote for pro-government
Al-Ahram (4/23), "Many in the American press and TV networks
received a cold shower and were forced to swallow their tongues,
and to withdraw all their 'assurances' and the lengthy reports
that were made about 'rogue' Middle Eastern Arabs."
"A Lesson For U.S. Media"
Columnist Said Sunbol maintained in pro-government Al-Akhbar
(4/23), "As soon as the explosion took place some 'good guys'
rushed to conclusions and started accusing the Arabs, and the
peoples of the Middle East, and even went further than this and
started to analyze the reasons which led to the crime....
Unfortunately, U.S. media, TV, radio and press, which are
supposed to be honest and credible, opened their doors for
analyses and interpretations that ignite animosity toward the
Arabs and to the Islamic communities and to the Middle Eastern
communities....
"Luckily the mystery which surrounds the crime was quickly
resolved...and may this crime be a lesson to the American media,
so that they would not take matters lightly, and do not broadcast
accusations, and deal more profoundly with the issue of
terrorism."
KUWAIT: "Fortunately, The Suspect Is American"
Independent, Arabic-language Al-Seyasseh's Faisal Al-Qenai opined
(4/23), "The murderous act that occurred in Oklahoma was painful
to us all, especially that most of the victims were children and
innocent people. In the meantime, we were hoping that Arabs were
not involved in this incident, and fortunately, it was proven
that an American terrorist organization was the culprit."
"Don't Try To Test Americans"
In a most unusual move, leading independent Al-Watan (4/23)
displayed prominently on its editorial page an opinion piece by
Saif Abbas Abdulla, chairman of the Department of Political
Science at Kuwait University. What made the editorial jump out
was that it was printed in English, while the rest of the page
was in the usual Arabic. This provided a special appeal to
English readers, Americans among them, from an academic who,
while sometimes critical of U.S. foreign policy, basically loves
the American system. He said, "The act by itself is cowardly,
insane and unacceptable by any standard or principle for whatever
reason.... While our sympathy and prayers for the victims and
their families continue, we should not hesitate to point out some
basic facts that might make future acts of terror such as this
difficult if not impossible.
"The American legal system seems to be too humanistic and too
soft for its time and environment.... The greatness of the
American society, in my opinion, is in having high regards to
values that hold society together with the ability to be flexible
and not to allow an exploiter to take permanent advantage of the
system. It is now for Americans to get tougher with those who
tend to destroy the fabric of American society and force a change
in the American way of life....
"It is the moral and legal duty of those civilized members of
world community, and those who are the proponents of democracy,
liberty and happiness to stand firm beside the United States in
hunting and capturing the perpetrators of this cowardly act....
Those who would like to turn America to a nation besieged and a
people who would surrender their liberty to be energetic and move
freely as they wish and lock themselves up, they seem though as
if they do not understand America. Americans and their system
are rational, intelligent, compassionate and legal, but, above
and over this, they are tough. And as the Americans say: When
the going gets tough, the tough get going. For God's sake, don't
try to test the Americans. (It) will blow up in your faces."
OMAN: "Public Must Be More Aware"
In the editorial view of the semi-independent, English-language
Times of Oman (4/23), "America is unused to such terrorist
attacks. Even after the bombing of the World Trade Center...very
little was done to improve security arrangements around the
government buildings and other likely targets. It is true to say
that many likely targets in America make such an operation almost
impossible to monitor effectively, thus making it easier for
terrorists to wreak havoc on unwary and innocent civilians....
"The attack last week will make many of the public more aware
that there is nothing certain about terrorism. Those who have
the mentality to terrorize people will do so wherever and
whenever they deem fit.... The security services must remain
alert. Moreover, there is the horrible reality that other
terrorist organizations, seeing how easy it is to attack
unsuspecting targets, will start a campaign of terror in America.
It is hoped that such a ghastly thing never happens and America
will not have to suffer in the same way as they have over the
Oklahoma bombing. But...a greater awareness by the public will
hopefully thwart any attempts by other to copy-cat bombings."
QATAR: "Responsible Leaders, Irresponsible Media"
The senior editor of the pro-government Gulf Times commented
(4/23), "Top U.S. officials, including President Clinton and
Attorney General Janet Reno, took a very responsible line in
urging the American people not to jump to conclusions as to who
might be behind the attack. Regrettably, some Western media
organizations were less restrained, and wrongly and irresponsibly
tried to connect the Oklahoma blast with their Middle East
problem. By doing so, they revealed their own prejudice and
bias."
SAUDI ARABIA: "Oklahoma Massacre Unmasks U.S. Media"
Regional, pro-government Al-Jazira opined (4/23), "The Oklahoma
massacre was not only a massacre against innocent people...but
also it was a massacre of the credibility of the U.S. media,
which should feel ashamed after it rushed and accused Arabs and
Muslims who were proven to be not guilty after the arrest of an
American white citizen."
"A War Was Announced, But Not Much Else Was Done"
Influential, internationally-circulated Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (4/21)
pointed out, "The U.S. government in the late '80s announced the
war against terrorism as one of its top foreign policy
priorities, but since that time not much has been done to develop
a policy and the necessary mechanisms to deal with this danger."
"Where Does Freedom Of Expression End?"
Both Al-Sharq Al-Awsat and its English-language companion, the
Arab News (4/22) ran this editorial: "Should freedom of
expression include the freedom to incite people to terror and
violence in the name of political lies? The United States and
Britain truly need to clean up their acts in this respect before
they can lecture anyone else about the merits of their own system
of government. It is important for both peoples to realize that
terrorism begins with verbal violence, its main arms being
scandalous lies, before it eventually manifests itself through
death and destruction."
SYRIA: "U.S. Media Totally Unobjective"
Government-supported Tishreen (4/24) opined, "The reality is that
after the United States dismissed the possibility of any
involvement by the countries in the Middle East or by its
citizens in the incident, and after official accusations were
made against two white Americans, some Western media instruments
continued to hold Islamic movements responsible for the
explosion....
"This shows the degree of the complete carelessness regarding all
objective media.... It is known that Israel is the only one who
benefits from ruining the reputation of Arab and Islamic
countries and employing such vilification to serve its aggression
and expansion objectives...and to blackmail the American people
by claiming that it is its only friend and that Arabs and Muslims
are hostile against it, while in reality Arabs and Muslims have
nothing but respect for the American people and that which their
government holds up as the principles of right and justice and
take them into consideration when dealing with Middle Eastern
issues. And if there was any conflict between Middle Eastern
governmnets and the American government, it was because of its
full support of Israel at the expense of international law. We
can say without any hesitation that Israel is the one that is
behind ruining the United States' reputation in the Arab and
Islamic worlds....
"Killing the innocent and assaulting institutions and all bombing
acts of a terroristic nature deserve all the denouncing and
condemnation possible. Arabs and Islamic countries were the
first condemners of the Oklahoma explosion which caused the death
of many innocent citizens.... But we in this region distinguish
very carefully between blind terrorism and the national strife
against occupation."
TUNISIA: "A Tragedy Of Domestic Origins"
Tunis Hebdo, an independent, French-language weekly, front-paged
this editorial by the paper's director M'Hamed Ben Youssef
(4/24), "There is no getting around the fact, however, that this
time the tragedy is purely American and entirely domestic in
origin.
"And no one has attempted to divert the focus of the
investigation (from domestic targets), to the great displeasure
of Rabin and his supporters, who would have loved to attribute
the slaughter of innocent Americans to small Arab-Muslim groups
and derive thereby substantial benefits (from the attack) from
their rich protector....
"Clinton was right to urge his fellow citizens not to jump to
conclusions and to prevent them from embracing the idea of a
'religious war.' He did well. America just proved that it can
generate real monsters whose methods are similar to those
hardliners who strike elsewhere. The fact that the tragedy
experienced in Oklahoma is 100 percent domestic is a lesser evil
for foreigners living in the United States: It prevents them
suffering at the hands of (vengeful Americans)."
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: "Sad For Victims, Happy That Suspect Is
American"
Dr. Hassan Al-Subaihi wrote in Abu Dhabi's semi-official,
government-owned Al-Ittihad (4/24), "Joy and happiness fill the
hearts of every Arab and Muslim citizen after investigations have
proven what happened in Oklahoma was not planned or carried out
by Muslims, nor Middle Eastern citizens. American lobbying
centers have played a role in teaching all Americans that any
dangers that may affect them always come from the Middle East and
these are being carried out by Arabs and Muslims. We were happy
not because of what happened in Oklahoma; in fact, we highly
appreciate American society and wish it no evil. However, this
is a chance for Americans to reconsider their rules and realize
that they too have extremist and fundamentalist individuals who
would not hesitate to carry out terrorist acts."
WEST BANK: "Media Disregarded Damage On Arabs, Muslims"
Moderate, pro-PLO Al-Quds's editorial held (4/24), "Many
officials and media people in the West and in the United States
in particular rushed to blame Arabs and Muslims for the
bombing.... This comes as part of the vicious media campaign
against Arabs and Muslims which started years ago to replace the
vacuum left by the Soviet Union after its collapse....
"The media disregarded the damage inflicted on Arabs and Muslims
as a result of the suspicion and accusations directed without any
evidence and before the beginning of investigations in this
despicable bombing.... Members of Arab communities in the United
States were the victims of assaults and threats of vengeance."
ISRAEL: "No Grievances Can Justify Crimes Against Innocents"
The right-wing Jerusalem Post said (4/24), "No one can better
understand and sympathize with the feelings of Americans at a
time like this than the people of Israel.... Almost half a
century ago, the Jewish Agency building and Ben-Yehuda Street in
Jerusalem were devastated by (explosive-laden) cars....
Americans can hardly be blamed for assuming that Muslim fanatics
were responsible for the bombing. The World Trade Center bombing
by such fanatics, intended to produce even more casualties, used
an identical technique.... Having endured the bloodiest century
in history, civilized society must realize that there are crimes
against innocents no grievances can justify, and that the
validity and justness of a cause must be measured by the tactics
it inspires."
"Clinton's Dialogue With His People"
Independent Maariv pointed out (4/24), "Bill and Hillary
Clinton's reaction to the Oklahoma City bombing was apt, timely
and--most importantly--genuine. Bill Clinton is back in his home
ground of dialogue with the people. This is how he got into the
White House in the first place, and this is also how he
recaptured the hearts and minds of his countrymen in the last few
days. When Clinton talks of disasters, difficulties and
problems, he speaks from the heart. He has been there himself.
He is one of us. When George Bush, for instance, said the same
things, nobody believed a single word. Hillary, too, is enjoying
a comeback. After a long period of serving as the
administration's punching bag, the First Lady lowered her profile
and assumed the difficult task of helping America's children
recover from the attack."
SOUTH ASIA
INDIA: "United States Must Take Moral High Road"
The independent Pioneer's editoral (4/22) reflected the view of
many papers: "President...Clinton...has struck the right note by
cautioning against jumping to conclusions through being
influenced by 'Middle Eastern stereotypes.'... While the United
States takes the moral high road in its crusade against
terrorism, it should turn its attention to Pakistan, which along
with Sudan, has become a major exporter of terror. If it manages
to rein in its client state, a good part of the battle against
terrorism would be over."
"Just Another Wednesday"
An editorial in the independent Observer of Business And Politics
said (4/22), "Terrorism thrives on the vulnerability of the free
society and imprisons people as few rulers have ever been able
to. America and Japan today stand poised to cross a grim
threshold where terror, not freedom, will dictate the life of the
individual.... No nation that exports weapons indiscriminately,
that uses threats against smaller nations, that takes upon itself
the role of policing the world, can live in the naive belief that
the backlash of its interventions elsewhere will not affect its
heartland. There is no answer to terrorism other than a oneness
of goal among all nations.... In truth, no country--not even
Palestine--has attained independence through terrorism."
IRAN: "Zionist Media Quick To Judge"
The English-language Iran News held (4/22), "As soon as news of
the Oklahoma bombing spread worldwide, the Zionists blamed
extremist Islamic elements identified with Hamas and Islamic
Jihad as being the most likely prepetrators of the blast....
[World governments should] hold a united platform in denouncing
and uprooting the vicious phenomenon of terorism to save innocent
people from losing their lives and properties."
"Islamic Jihad, Hamas Not To Blame"
The English-language Tehran Times maintained (4/22), "Let it be
known that to take up arms when all doors for peaceful solution
have been shut is not the same as malicious, indiscriminate acts
of terrorism.
"Without clear proof to support their allegations, Israeli
experts on terrorism linked the Oklahoma blast to the 1993 World
Trade Center explosion, urging U.S. investigators to focus on
Islamic activities.... The statements by the Islamic Jihad and
Hamas of non-involvement point to a lack of motive on their part
to commit such a heinous act."
PAKISTAN: "Bombing Deserves To Be Condemned, But Also
Anti-Muslim Bias"
In an editorial (4/24), the center-right Nation opined, "The
bombing...deserves to be condemned in the strongest possible
terms as a mindless act of terror. But the incident has served
to highlight aspects of the American state and society's reaction
to the event which should give pause for thought. The initial
knee-jerk reaction which ascribed blame for the incident, without
evidence or justification, to Muslims, specifically of Middle
Eastern origins, smacks of a paranoid state of mind that lumps
all such people in the category of 'terrorists.'...
"For a society like the United States, composed as it is of a
diverse population drawn from immigrant roots, to abandon the
sense of ethnic and racial equality which informs the
institutions and founding ethos of its 'melting pot' in favor of
the most bigoted view of people of a different faith or color of
skin is symptomatic of a deep malaise. The rhetorical build up
over the past few years of Islam and Muslims as the new bogey
described as the 'greatest threat' to Western civilization has
directly fed the worst possible instincts amongst ordinary
Americans."
BANGLADESH: "The Oklahoma Tragedy"
In the opinion of the independent New Nation (4/23), "Immediately
after the Oklahoma massacre theorists vied with each other in
wild frenzy to point the accusing finger at the Nation of Islam,
Hamas or any other Islamic group they could think of.
As...tempers cooled, their hardline theories were...substantially
watered down. President Clinton has done well by issuing a
timely warning against media speculations which have led to
increasing threats, particularly against American Muslims and
Muslims in America. He also advised everybody not to rush to any
conclusions until investigations are over. It is good that
Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani condemned the Oklahoma
killings. Mr. Rafsanjani said despite the 'antipathy' between
his country and the United States, he could not condone 'such a
murderous act.'"
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
AUSTRALIA: "Far Right Chorus Morally Guilty"
According to the business-oriented Australian Financial Review
(4/24) under the headline above, "The fetishist hatred of
government as innately evil, which is the glue that holds
America's right wing together, appears to have been the motive
for last week's despicable attack in Oklahoma City. But the
excessive enthusiasm of the bombers represents a difference in
degree, rather than substance, (from the) inflammatory rantings
of the right-wing gurus like Limbaugh, Robertson and even
allegedly mainstream politicians like Newt Gingrich....
"It will be interesting to watch America's pro-gun,
anti-government gurus running away from the Michigan militia over
the next few days.... Those in American public life who parrot
the gutless and expedient claptrap about the fundamental right to
keep and bear arms, and brand as satanic any government effort to
disarm political extremists will need to examine their
consciences in the wake of last week's events."
CHINA: "U.S. Turning To The Right"
Under the headline,"The United States Has Many Troubles, Forces
of the Extreme Right Go On The Rampage" official Wenhui Daily's
Washington Correspondent Zhu Xinfu wrote (4/24), "The media here
hold that the present U.S. society is disintegrating into a
condition of extreme freedom and the extreme right. In the
future, the constant occurrence of violent acts similar to the
Oklahoma bombing will be unavoidable. At present, American
society is turning to the right and is thus creating more extreme
rightists. They are more terrible than international terrorism."
HONG KONG: "America Must Search Its Soul"
The independent English-language Eastern Express held (4/24), "In
the United States, where the freedom to carry guns has been more
vigorously defended this century than freedom of thought, weapons
of mass destruction are available over the counter and even by
mail order . Even moderate, liberal Americans can be found to
support this 'right'. The probability that they may now have to
live under increased security--subjected to bag searches, forced
to wear security badges, and suffer the delays caused by
controlled access to buildings--may cause some to re-examine
these values.... This is not a disease confined to one country,
but it has come to the nation that thought itself immune. The
United States must search its soul if it hopes to find a cure."
"U.S. Ultra-Right Force Gaining Ground"
The leading pro-PRC Ta Kung Pao (4/24) said in part: "A horrible
result is: The ultra-right terrorist force will make use of this
big bombing incident, which has shocked the whole world, to cause
certain people who are discontented with reality to become more
insane and more unscrupulous.... From now on, the United States
not only has to deal with sabotage by extremists from the Middle
East and fanatics of other religious sects, but also it has to
deal with the emerging anti-government terrorist force in the
nation. [Conflicts relating to] race and social order will
become even more penetrating. There will be no place that is
safe in the United States. We really cannot be optimistic about
America's future development."
INDONESIA: "The Importance Of This Problems Rivals NPT"
The independent, English-language Jakarta Post's editorial (4/24)
remarked, "Hopefully, the Oklahoma bombing will shake the world
community enough to bring about...tough, concerted actions. Not
just to wage a war against any terrorist or potential terrorist
movement but also to dig into the very roots of the problem, to
prevent the world's society and system from producing other
misfits.... But we believe this problem is as important than the
more widely publicized ongoing 'landmark' international
conference on the NPT in New York these days."
"Wisdom And Introspection"
The chairman of Muhammadiyah (a large Muslim organization), Amien
Rais, wrote for Muslim intellectual Republika (4/24), "Hopefully
there will be some wisdom that can be taken from this sad
incident.... If we read the spontaneous reaction from Secretary
of State Christopher, who said that terrorists, meaning those
from the Middle East, must be wiped out, maybe the process of
American introspection that we hope for is still far away. What
a pity."
PHILIPPINES: "For A Conference On Terrorism"
The government-controlled Philippine Journal's editorial (4/23)
stressed, "President Ramos' proposal for an international
conference on terrorism...is well taken, urgent and timely.
Indeed, it has assumed a new sense of urgency with the recent
terrorist bombing...in Oklahoma City.... The president made the
proposal in a letter to President Clinton in which he also
condemned the terrorist attack."
SOUTH KOREA: "Speedy Investigation"
A moderate Hankook Ilbo commentary noted (4/24): "Less than 48
hours after the bombing, the FBI arrested a suspect who, all
evidence shows, must have done it. The agency's high-tech,
systematic investigation made the speedy arrest possible."
"Ultra-Right Vengeance"
An anti-establishment Hankyoreh Shinmun commentary maintained
(4/23), "President Clinton welcomed the speedy investigation of
the Oklahoma bombing. In spite of the success of the
investigation, costs to him are going to increase. This incident
proved that antagonistic feelings against the president himself
and his policies are widespread."
THAILAND: "Something Is Askew"
The lead editorial of the English-language, independent Nation
(4/24) commented, "For the world, the lesson from the Oklahoma
bombing and the Tokyo gas attacks would seem to be that no
country, even the most developed or civilized, is immune from
terrorism. For America, where the debate about individual
rights, and in particular the right to bear arms, has always been
fiercely fought, a new look needs to be taken at when the right
to free speech and association begins to impinge on the common
citizen's right to be free of fear. Surely when paramilitary
groups and gun holders are free to maintain and possess
potentially awesome destructive powers, something is askew."
AFRICA
NIGERIA: "A Savage, Callous Act"
Port Harcourt's independent Daily Sunray (4/24) held, "Last
week's bombing in Oklahoma was a most savage act. It must be
condemned in the strongest possible terms. The bombing raises
the question: Is the world about to return to the seventies,
when groups like the Red Brigades, Red Army faction, the
Baader-Meinhoff Gang, Black September and loose cannons like
Carlos, terrorized the world almost at will? The signs are
portentous.
"The only way to ensure that the world does not suffer relapse
into those horrendous days is to pursue the terrorists with
relentless zeal, run them to earth and deal with them.... When
they are caught, justice should be dispensed swiftly--even within
the due process--to serve as a deterrent."
"That Oklahoma Bombing"
The pro-government Democrat of Kaduna (4/23) ran Henry Ugbolue's
comment that, "The Oklahoma bombing if for nothing else, has
passed a very formidable message across the world: that America
is only living on its past glory.... Even when it remains
condemnable, one is however tempted to say that it was a good
thing it happened, at least to show America how bad it can be
when one is at the receiving end. The bombing very importantly
brought to the fore, once again, the inadequacies of the Clinton
era. In fact it confirmed the fears of many that Bill Clinton
remains the worst thing that has ever happened to America in 40
years."
ZAMBIA: "Outrageous Attack"
The government-owned Times of Zambia said (4/21), "The American
government...may not be blameless. But there is nothing that can
ever justify so outrageous an action.... It is time the whole
world awoke to the dangers posed by terrorism and eschewed that
it is directed against government."
LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
ARGENTINA: "The New Terror"
Top-circulation Clarin (4/21) in its feature editorial, said,
"Now that a threatening shadow of a new indiscriminate terrorism
falls over the planet, it is essential to take from historical
sources the goals and energy to confront the difficult
challenge."
BOLIVIA: "Comeback Of Terrorism"
Leftist, sensationalist Hoy (4/21) opined, "Three continents were
affected on the same day by a shocking wave of terrorist attacks
which show how hard it will be for humanity to eliminate these
types of criminal practices. Even though nations have devoted
great resources to combatting terrorism, what is worrying is that
these illegal movements are revived and strengthened....
Although the actions have not been directly related, the
international community must take measures to avoid an escalation
that could cross borders and take new victims."
BRAZIL: "Rigor Of The Law And Swift Justice Are Our Weapons"
Readers of center-right O Estado de Sao Paulo (4/21) saw this
editorial: "Strictly speaking, to kill indiscriminately and
wholesale, a trained organization with foreign financing is no
longer necessary. It's enough to have determined or unbalanced
individuals, isolated or in groups, disposed to do it, and the
conditions will be easily within their reach.... It is no longer
possible to prevent attacks of this kind. But it is possible, by
means of scientific investigation, to get to their
perpetrators.... The rigor of the law and swift justice are the
remedies of the civilized world against the barbarism and
savagery of terrorism."
CHILE: "Brutal Attack Should Mobilize Anti-Terror Campaign"
Influential, conservative, business-oriented Estrategia (4/24)
opined, "The world received with horror, indignation and pain the
news of the bombing attack against a federal building in Oklahoma
City....
"Unquestionably, in the face of such brutal actions, regardless
of their origin or intention, it is essential that the full force
of the law be applied and that the international community act
together to end the scourge of terrorism. It is very important
that the United States, with the collaboration and support of all
countries, acts forcefully to resolve this condemnable event and
punishes, as examples, those responsible, in a manner that will
insure that events of this sort are not repeated."
COLOMBIA: "We Have Travelled This Long And Painful Road"
Liberal Party-oriented El Tiempo (4/21) said in an editorial, "In
this thing about car bombs, we Colombians have travelled a long
and painful road.... That is why we understand, live and feel
the pain of the inhabitants of a city that is beautiful, quiet
and far away from the barbaric use of criminal devices, motivated
by despicable minds.
"For this reason, with the moral support of having suffered
attacks like the one in Oklahoma...we Colombians can ask the
American people to understand the difficulties that our country
faces in the fight against drug trafficking."
HONDURAS: "Solidarity"
Top-circulation, conservative La Prensa (4/21) asserted outraged
solidarity with the American people in this editorial: "The
human community expresses its indignation at the cowardice
displayed by these agents of terror, and at the complacency with
which some governments submit so willingly to terrorist
extortion."
JAMAICA: "Perpetrators Must Be Brought To Justice"
Rickey Singh penned this for the moderate Sunday Gleaner (4/23),
"Whoever the perpetrators of the Oklahoma tragedy...(are, they)
must be brought to justice and pay the penalty. The blood of
children and innocent people cries out against
terrorism--wherever it shows its ugly, despicable, cowardly face,
and whatever the race, religion and nationality of the
perpetrators."
PERU: "Solidarity, Because We, Too, Face This Evil"
Conservative, influential El Comercio (4/21) stressed, "Speaking
to his countrymen, President Clinton rightly called this crime
'evil,' and made it clear that the culprits would receive the
severest punishment possible. Here in Peru, in addition to
lamenting these terrible acts and expressing our solidarity with
the victims, we consider it essential to remind our readers that
we too face a cruel and vicious enemy that lies in wait for the
best opportunity it can find to strike again."
For more information, please contact:
U.S. Information Agency
Office of Public Liaison
Telephone: (202) 619-4355
04/24/95
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