Military

DATE=11/12/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=TURKEY / U-N (L)

NUMBER=2-283032

BYLINE=OWEN FAY

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Foreign Minister of Turkey has told the United Nations that the only effective way to combat global terrorism is to stop distinguishing between different types of terrorists. The Turkish official says all those who use terrorist acts to advance a political or religious cause should be treated the same, no matter what their rationale or country of origin. From the United Nations, Owen Fay reports.

TEXT: Ismael Cem says his country has had to deal with terrorism for decades and therefore Turkey has an important contribution to make in this current campaign.

The Turkish Foreign Minister says terrorism is now "mankind's number one enemy," and certain principles should guide the battle against it.

The most important, according to Mr. Cem, is the rejection of any argument which attempts to distinguish between different types of terrorism:

///CEM ACT///

There is a de facto distinction, an unfortunate decision, made in several countries' conceptual approach between bad terrorists who work against the particular country and the tolerated terrorists who while enjoying safe haven in the same country, incite, plan and finance and sometimes command terrorist acts in another country.

///END ACT///

What Mr. Cem calls a "double standard approach" is what he says needs to be eliminated. Specifically, he rejects claims that some people who resort to terrorist activities are in some way "freedom fighters" or "liberators." Making such a distinction, he says, reduces the ability of different countries to come together and cooperate in a united approach to fighting terrorists wherever they may be. (SIGNED)

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