Laszlo Alexandru

 

TERRORISTS AGAINST THE STATE



english version by Axel H. Lenn



The XX-th century stood for huge numbers, outstanding proportions. Two World Wars, two extensive massacres (the Holocaust and the Gulag), two political and military superpowers (U.S.A. and U.S.S.R.). The XXI-st century seems to announce the individual’s requital, men’s rebellion against structures. Terrorism has become the most direct way of confrontation. The 2001 September 11th attack on New York City, just like the recent criminal action against the school in Beslan, deeply shook two of the greatest States in the world. The metaphysical revolt, proclaimed by existentialism at the middle of the last century, turned into real time aggressions on the social stability nowadays. From the famous theoretical assertion “L’enfer c’est les autres”, we’ve come to draw a terrible real fact conclusion “L’enfer c’est partout”.

After a first horrific moment facing hundreds and thousands of innocent dead on civilian part, critical thinking inevitably seeks out the causes and circumstances of these new massacres. Terrorist aggression on America was followed by the American military retort in Afghanistan and Iraq – the attack against Russia was preceded by the brutal Russian aggression on Chechnya. Arab terrorists aimed at the foundations of the Western value system and lifestyle – Chechen terrorists vindicated their right to political State independence. The American hijacked aircraft passengers and the Madrid train travelers were left not many chance of survival. The Moscow theatre goers’ and the Beslan hostages’ lives depended on the result of unsuccessful negotiations. Some civilian died under terrorist attack, others when special troops came to “rescue”. There are differences and they should be sincerely acknowledged.

There’s no excuse for murder. Terrorists cannot enjoy extenuating circumstances. This should be stated firmly. But we can’t help thinking further and asking: is the attacked State equally responsible, whether Western or Eastern?

It would be a glaring mistake to draw an equal sign between the attack against a democratic State and the attack against the ruins of a totalitarian empire.

(October 2004)