Homeland Security

DATE=10/22/2003

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-10937

TITLE=EDITORIAL: THAILAND FIGHTS TERRORISM

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: Thailand is one of many Asian countries helping in the war against terrorism. President George W. Bush was in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. The Thai people understand, he said, that the terrorist threat affects civilized nations everywhere:

(ACT1 :26 DALET: POLICY/EDITORIALS) "One terrorist camp in the mountains of central Asia can bring horror to innocent people living far away, whether they're in Bali, in Riyadh, or in New York City. One murderous dictator pursuing weapons of mass destruction and cultivating ties to terror could threaten the lives of millions.

We must fight terrorism on many fronts. We must stay on the offensive until the terrorist threat is fully and finally defeated." (END ACT)

Mr. Bush cited the capture of Hambali as an example of Thailand's commitment. Hambali, whose real name is Riduan Isamuddin, was captured by Thai police in August. He is believed to be the top representative in Southeast Asia of the al-Qaida terrorist network. He was also operations chief of Jemaah Islamiyah, a terrorist group committed to establishing an extremist Muslim state in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, parts of Thailand and the Philippines. Under Hambali, Jemaah Islamiyah has committed many terrorist crimes, including the October 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia, that killed some two-hundred people from more than a dozen countries.

As President Bush said, "Nations that choose to fight terror are defending their own safety and securing the peace of all mankind. Thailand pledged to fight the war on terror, and that pledge is being honored in full." But, said Mr. Bush, there are many more battles ahead.

(ACT2 :24 DALET: POLICY/EDITORIALS) "To win the war on terror, we must hunt a scattered and resourceful enemy in dark corners around the world. We must break up their cells, shut off their sources of money. We must oppose the propaganda of hatred that feeds their cause. In the nations where resentment and terrorism have taken root, we must encourage the alternative of progress and tolerance and freedom that leads to peace." (END ACT)

As President Bush told the people of Thailand, "We will meet this danger and overcome this evil. Whatever is asked of us, no matter how long it takes, we will push on until our work is done."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-voanews-dot-com-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.