Terrorist are defined as those who kill innocent people for their aim. So was ANC in South Africa terrorist, they were described as terrorist by the western world (at least by the US) but its ok for Polish people to fight back and kill when Germany invaded Poland, which would result in innocent German civilian deaths too. So how do we define a terrorist. Is LTTE a terrorist organization, because what other choice did they have after 30 years of peaceful demonstration, is IRA a terrorist organization (dont know much about IRA), etc, where there are perhaps situations where the government of the day discriminates a section of the people, like apartheid south africa. Was it ok for the SA government to kill blacks but not the other way around.
I would define Taliban a terrorist organization but its just as bad as another country invading another for no reason. I believe US had enough reason to invade Afghanistan but not all invasions are justified and in that case, who is a terrorist.
I guess terrorism is defined by who has the biggest propaganda machine and its a pity we fall for most of the propaganda.
RE:So what is a terrorist?
by kumar on Jan 31, 2007 04:12 AM Permalink
I would define LTTE as both terrorist organization in some cases and not in other cases. They do have a justified fight, and i can even understand why they took on India cause it was India who started fighting them first. Its the same in Kashmir, Pakistan started fighting us first, so we have the right to strike back.
However, there was no reason for them to blow up innocent civilians. Having said, that I would define the SL government the same because they do kill innocent civilians for the sake of Sinhala Bhuddism supremacy and perhaps their cause is even worse because as a government, they should have treated everyone equally in the first place.
I wish they would just stop bombing Hindu temples. Soon, India might be the only country with a substantial Hindu population.
RE:So what is a terrorist?
by JM on Jan 31, 2007 05:01 AM Permalink
Reg the comment on LTTE, be it 30 years or 300 years of peaceful demonstration. If an organization resorts to "indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians", then it is a terrorist organization period. LTTE has so far planned and killed 1000s of innocent civilians indiscriminately. So yes it is a terrorist organization.
RE:RE:RE:So what is a terrorist?
by JM on Jan 31, 2007 05:20 AM Permalink
Yes, SL govt has killed Tamil population living in SL indiscriminately. I consider it a terrorist govt as well (just as I consider Pakistan but maybe not to that degree)
RE:So what is a terrorist?
by JM on Jan 31, 2007 05:22 AM Permalink
Yes kumar. SL govt has killed Tamil population indiscriminately. It is definitely a terrorist govt (just like Pak govt but maybe to a lesser degree)
RE:RE:So what is a terrorist?
by kumar on Jan 31, 2007 06:50 AM Permalink
Given that SL is a terrorist government, we should proscribe it. Just as we must with a whole lot of countries. I hate it when we call some organization terrorist but don't say the same about the discriminatory government in the same breath.
We need to take the high road on this because we have treated our Kashmiri brothers as equal and then violence started at Pakistani instigation. This is not the case with Sudan, Sri Lanka, etc. We need proscribe all these terrorist countries. Have you seen what is happening in Darfur. I would not regret the day, some country will go into Sudan and bomb the government to pieces. But then again, noone cares, cause the dying are black, that is the world we live in. I wish India would do something about Sudan, such as mediate to stop the violence.
RE:RE:RE:So what is a terrorist?
by kumar on Jan 31, 2007 06:54 AM Permalink
Mr JM, i like your reasoning.
So I have one more question for you. if a people use non-violence to get equal rights and then they get crushed violently as happened in SL, should they never take up arms as the Tamils did. I am quite intersted in this as I am writing a paper terrorism in South Asia. Would love to hear your and others' opinion to my quesiton on whether a violently oppressed people have the right to take arms to defend themselves, especially against a well armed government force.
