WILL EUROPE GUIDE ITSELF?
by Maksud Djavadov
After the September 11th attacks which the United States of America called an
attack on the “civilized world”, Europe was left in the shadow. The definition
of the civilized now did not apply to the continent which brought civilization
to the American continent. The economical and military strength of the United
States of America made many in the American government to ignore the importance
of international support. Of course one can counter such argument claiming that
UN and most of the countries unanimously backed the US, but one should ask; Did
they have a Choice?
Support with Pressure
After the 9/11 events it was made clear to the world whether it will keep quite
or be kept quite through a famous phrase “You are either with us or you are
with the Terrorists.” Any alternative view to the US position was to be met
with the reservation of a place in the “Axis of Evil.” Perhaps the silence
concerning the violation of the sovereignty of Afghanistan was to be easy due to
the political and social shock after the 9/11 events. However, as time is
passing, more and more people start to question the real motives behind the idea
of “War on Terror.” As the war in Afghanistan is slowly but surely turning into
the second Vietnam, the international community is impatient of distancing
itself from the on going war in Afghanistan. Already France and Australia have
prepared time schedules for their troops to leave Afghanistan. After the Bali
terrorist attacks the will of the Australian government to withdraw from
Afghanistan probably came as surprise to many aggressive minded policymakers who
expected Australia to follow the footprints of revenge. Many media giants even
indirectly accused Australia of backing down on terrorists and being too soft.
It seems that those who organized the attacks in Bali achieved their aim or
those who quickly organized a KGB style investigation and found the prints of
Al-Qaeda a few seconds after did not try hard enough. As the “War on Terror”
starts to loose its popularity and produce other potential disasters, many
countries are in search of independent policy towards “terrorism” and how to
keep the stability and peace in the world and others are in search of new
“monsters.”
Wise European Experience
The policies of the United States of America were always questioned amongst the
people of the Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. However, it is a rare
scenario that Europeans would seriously question the policies of the US. But as
the issue of Iraq is developing, the population of Europe begins to be more
conscious about what war can bring to Europe. Perhaps it is the Europeans who
had the bitterest and most thoughtful experience of war. Both of the World wars
broke out in Europe and all wars on the continent did not bring anything, but
destruction, poverty and occupation. It seems from today’s experience that
Europeans learned the lessons of war very well. The immergence of the EU shows
us that Europeans were able to look beyond the greed for power, influence,
territory and resources and build the relationship among each other based upon
mutual cooperation and dialogue. Perhaps in 1943 one would be thought to be a
lunatic if he would talk about unification of Europe. However, today the
unification of Europe is a lively process which everyone can observe. The
centuries of arrogant master-servant policy did not bring anything other then
wars. As the United States of America is showing more the muscle of war,
Europeans are being more and more cautious in following the US adventures
policies. Due to the large Muslim population in Europe the blind approach
towards Iraq may create high tensions on the continent which has built very
unique and comparatively pleasant atmosphere for mutual coexistence. The
European participation in many humanitarian projects in Africa and Middle East
give Europe a unique place in the part of world which is being presented and
defined to them as an enemy. The absence of a direct act of military
intervention and the ability of the EU to relatively present an objective view
concerning events in the Middle East, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Chechnya and so on,
eliminates many threats which are artificially being imposed upon the European
Community by the foreign powers which only take into consideration their own
interests.
A few weeks ago we all could witness the appearance of another “Bin Laden Tape”
which threatened to target Europeans and it was seen how instantly the validity
of that tape was “proven”. However, again due to the tolerant and cautions
European approach the British newspaper published a report from the Scientists
in Swiss Dalle Molle Institute for Perceptual Artificial Intelligence, in
Lausanne that the tape was “ 95% fake and recorded by an impostor.” It seems
that Europeans are presenting a very good example to the world on how to react
towards unverified threats. Perhaps Europe today represents the only example in
the world which shows that regional problems should be solved through dialogue
and investigations and not revenge and wars. As the situation in Iraq will get
closer towards war which will certainly be provoked, European policy makers
should take in consideration the positive and negative results which can affect
Europe if EU decides to participate in unjustified war. Almost all Europeans
understand that Iraq presents absolutely no threat to Europe with or without
nuclear weapons. It is important that European policy makers take into
consideration the interest of the people and not be provoked by any
un-investigated terrorist acts to join the coalition of war. In the next weeks
as the war in Iraq will most probably become a reality, Europe must guide itself
and not be guided by others.