UN effort to create International Anti-Terrorism Day ends in a stalemate

Wednesday, 25 November 2009 13:24

Written by oniouttapam news

Geneva: A United Nations led effort to create an 'International Anti-Terrorism Day' resulted in a stalemate after member countries of the UN general assembly failed to reach a consensus on the choice of the day of the year to be observed as World Anti-Terrorism Day.

A motion to declare September the eleventh of every year as the day to mark International day against terrorism was tabled by US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice. But the motion was opposed by Indian ambassador to UN, Nirupam Sen who urged members of the UN to vote for 26/11 as International Anti-Terrorism Day.  "United States being the sole superpower of the world at the time of WTC attacks had marketed the 9/11 attacks better than us or any other country of the world that has suffered the scourge of terrorism. But now we are a rising power and have learnt to market our terror attacks to the world as effectively as US. In terms of sensation and headline-grabbing value, the 26/11 terror attacks onTaj Hotel were not less effective than the 9/11 attacks. We let a small bunch of Pakistani terrorists run amok for nearly 60 hours allowing TV channels from all over the world provide 'live' non-stop coverage of the event fueling unprecedented interest in the attacks in world media."

When US envoy objected saying that less than 200 people died on 26/11 in comparison to over 3000 victims of 9/11 attacks, Sen reminded the assembly that India has been a victim of terrorism since several decades and therefore it would be most appropriate that the day chosen to mark as International Anti-Terrorism Day should be a day which is memorable to Indians for its fight against terrorism. "Terrorists have killed more Indians than people of any other nationality. Unlike US, which has experienced the horrors of terrorism only a couple of times in its entire history, we have faced hundreds of terror attacks for many decades in almost every state of India which have claimed lacs of lives." thundered Mr. Sen. "We demand that we should be given the right to chose International Anti-Terrorism Day"

Immediately, Pakistan's envoy to UN, Abdullah Hussein Haroon, objected to India's demand saying that Pakistan deserves to be given the right to choose the day. "Other countries may have faced terrorism, but no other country in the world is as closely linked to terrorism as Pakistan. Our country is universally recognized as epicenter of international terrorism. As biggest exporter of terrorism, we deserve the right to choose International Anti-Terrorism Day."  said Mr. Haroon. But when asked by some members to provide a suitable day for the purpose, the Pakistani envoy fumbled for words. "It is difficult to choose a single day right away since we have been exporting terrorism 365 days a year, but I will check with the interior ministry of Pakistan to find out on which day our terror exports have boomeranged on us causing us maximum casualties." 

Israel's representative to the UN, Gabriela Shalev, feeling left-out from the proceedings, joined in the discussion by pooh-poohing India and Pakistan's claims and said that Israel has the sole right to chose the day. She pointed out to the general assembly that Israel was the only country in the world whose creation itself resulted in terrorism. "Palestinians have been terrorizing us since the day Israel was created through UN mandate. Modern terrorism began in Israel. In fact, we practically invented the word 'terrorism'. Prior to creation of Israel, terrorists were called by different names depending on their aims and objectives. In the ancient and medieval times, they were termed as hashasins or zealots. Later they were called as revolutionaries, anarchists, assassins, nationalists and even freedom-fighters. But after the armed resistance of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) against the creation of Israel, all armed groups fighting against any legitimate UN-approved state are uniformly called terrorists."

"Imagine the confusion if there was no common, generally accepted definition of terrorism. Militant groups would have gained legitimacy by calling themselves as revolutionaries or freedom-fighters. By just giving the world modern definition of terrorism, we have united the entire world against terrorism..against every act of violence against the state." The ambassador proposed that Israel's independence day, May 14, should be declared as International Anti-Terrorism Day. This led to laughter amongst the Arab block of countries. One of the ambassadors laughingly agreed with the Israeli envoy and said that he fully supports the choice of that date. "No other day better represents the oppression of the Palestinian people through state terrorism of Israel." he quipped.

Susan Rice interrupted the discussion reminding the assembly the importance of 9/11 terror attacks in changing the world. "Everyone agrees the world changed forever after 9/11 attacks. Millions may have died from terrorism else where in the world prior to September 11, 2001. But it was the attacks on twin towers that brought terror right into the homes of billions of television viewers all over the world. The image of airplanes crashing into WTC towers has been imprinted forever in the minds of billions." she said to the assembly.

The Russian envoy agreed with Rice that the televised terror of 9/11 was indeed an unforgettable  experience but said that the powerful imagery of the twin towers being hit by airplanes didn't match the sheer magnificence of the mushroom clouds generated by the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to the shock of all members of the assembly, proposed that August 6, the day Hiroshima was nuked by US, should be observed as International Anti-Terrorism Day. Everyone looked at the Japanese ambassador expecting him to react favorably to the proposal, but an embarrassed Yukio Takasu looked away shaking his head in disapproval.

But the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitali Churkin, grabbing the opportunity to embarrass United States was in no mood to relent and pointed out that no other single act of terror in the history of planet has caused as much destruction to life and property as the bombing of the two Japanese towns. "Over 2 lac people were killed by the atomic blasts within just 3 days. The twin bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki has killed nearly 100 times more people than the twin attacks onWTC towers. In terms of impact, devastation, loss of life, sheer horror of the after-effects and stunning photography, the twin atomic blasts easily beat all other terror attacks throughout the history of mankind."

A stunned Ms Rice vetoed down the Russian proposal and registered a strong protest against the Russian ambassador for terming the nuking of Japanese towns as an act of terrorism. "An act of military attack approved and enforced under the direction of the POTUS can never be regarded as an act of terror." screamed a shocked Susan and reminded the Russian envoy about the atrocities and executions committed by the Russian communist leader Joseph Stalin.

Diplomats from many countries seized the opportunity to demand that any war not legitimized by UN should be termed as an act of terrorism. An unidentified diplomat was heard muttering that "War is terrorism with a bigger budget." provoking laughter in his vicinity.

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