Canada: Why My Terrorist Isn't Your Terrorist?

Tony Blair told the world in September at the UN that terrorism his country facing is a movement. He said further, “It has an ideology and it has a strategy. And the strategy is not just to kill. It is by terror to cause chaos and instability and to divide and confuse us, the enemy of this terrorism.” George Bush echoes the same sentiment by stating that the US has a solemn obligation to stop terrorism in its early stages, to defend our citizens against terrorism, to attack terrorist networks and deprive them of any safe haven, to promote an ideology of freedom and tolerance that will defeat the dark vision of the terrorists.

Both leaders defined what “terrorism” is to them and who fits that description –Al Queda to be precise. However, today their terrorists are freedom fighters or a bunch of good guys to others. However, not all terror groups that fit this very description are considered terrorists by many countries. Take for example, Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka. They are leaps ahead of Al Queda in terrorism. The claim that “your terrorist isn’t my terrorist” puts a huge dent in any nations’ effort to go after their “terrorists.” The question is whose definition of a “terrorists” gets the universal acceptability and attention to destroy terrorism as Blair and Bush want.

Canadians who quiver and became horrified at the terror attacks in NY and London must be agreeing with Blair and Bush on their approach to dealing with terrorism head-on. Given all this it is an abomination that a vicious terror group like the Tamil Tigers are not viewed in Canada the same way the Sri Lankans do since Tamil Tigers are not a threat to Canadians. Therefore, they are not a proscribed group in Canada yet, but the Japanese terrorists - Aum Shinri Kyo are, but how are they a threat to Canadians, they don't operate in Canada the way Tamil Tigers do? My point is that if my terrorists (Tamil tigers) are not your terrorists, then why should I consider your terrorists – the Al Queda, my terrorists?

However, having experienced terrorism in Sri Lanka I maintain that anyone engaged in “terrorism,” no matter where, they are still "terrorists" and must be dealt with same the determination.

Canada please don’t choose your favourites!