Israel: No Compromise in Terror War
By CURT ANDERSON
Associated Press Writer
September 20, 2001, 5:11 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- The United States must develop the will for a sustained, uncompromising battle against terrorism and the countries that sponsor it or the worldwide threat will grow far worse, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Congress.
"We must have moral clarity," Netanyahu said Thursday. "What is at stake today is nothing less than the survival of our civilization."
The hard-line stance espoused by Netanyahu in his opening statement drew unusual, lengthy applause from Democrats and Republicans on the House Government Reform Committee.
"Many of us are focusing seriously on this issue for the first time," said Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., the panel's chairman. "Today, we know that no place is safe. Terrorists can reach us anyplace."
Netanyahu was Israel's prime minister from 1996-99 and has written books about terrorism. He said the United States should rally the world behind a campaign with military and economic components aimed mainly at the countries that harbor terrorists or provide other support. These countries, he said, include Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
"Take away all the state support, and the entire terrorist scaffolding will collapse," Netanyahu said. "It is time to establish a fixed principle: Terrorism will be punished. Severely punished."
Eradicating Israel is not the main goal of most of these groups, Netanyahu said. Their overarching purposes are to force all Western influences out of the Islamic countries and make Islam dominant by concentrating on inflicting increasing pain on the United States.
Netanyahu also warned that many of the nations supporting the network are developing weapons of mass destruction that terrorists could use in future attacks.
"Does anyone doubt that, given a chance, they would throw atom bombs at America? And before that, chemical and biological weapons?" Netanyahu said. "We have received a wake-up call from hell. The time for action is now."
Based on Israel's experience, Netanyahu also said:
_The United States and its allies should use pre-emptive strikes to stop suspected terrorist activities.
_Improved intelligence and police work may ease the problem but will not stop it.
_In tracking down individuals such as Osama bin Laden, the United States should not wait for "legalisms" necessary for a court conviction. "It is not court of law," he said. "It is a field of war."
_The American people must "see themselves as soldiers" and be prepared for sacrifice, including casualties among military personnel and civilians. "They have to have a moral outrage in them but not crumble in the face of these attacks."
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On the Net: House Committee on Government Reform: house.gov
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