01/02/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-09620

RIDDING THE WORLD OF TERROR

Two-thousand-one was a year of great tragedy for the United States and the civilized world. The horror of September 11^th will never be forgotten. But the terrorists who leveled the World Trade Center in New York City and smashed into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., badly miscalculated. They thought they were sowing seeds that would blossom into a holy war against America. Instead, the terrorists lit the match that will lead to their own immolation.

In the wake of September 11^th, over one-hundred countries offered their help to defeat international terrorism. Law enforcement agencies worldwide are sharing information to apprehend terrorists before they can strike. The U.S.-led coalition is cutting off the flow of terrorist financing, disrupting terrorist operations, and making it more difficult for terrorists to cross borders to carry out their murderous plans.

The U.S.-led coalition has destroyed the al-Qaida terrorist base and overthrown its Taleban sponsors in Afghanistan. Now, Afghans have put aside their differences and have formed an interim administration. Afghan women are taking their rightful place in that government. Humanitarian aid is once again flowing to those Afghans most in need. Bridges and roads from Afghanistan's neighbors have re-opened. Girls are returning to the classroom. Women are free to venture outside their homes. Children can once again fly kites. Music is once again heard in the streets.

Afghanistan is no longer a safe haven for terrorists. But if the terrorists of the world think the campaign begins and ends there, they are mistaken. Afghanistan is only the first of what may prove to be many success stories.

The lessons of September 11^th are clear. The terrorists sought to divide civilized peoples. Instead, nations have joined together to eradicate terrorism. The terrorists tried to intimidate America. But the U.S. and its friends and allies have responded with courage and determination. Today terrorists try to hide. But the U.S.-led coalition is relentlessly chasing them down.

The elimination of al-Qaida and other terrorist groups around the world will be neither quick nor easy. But as the successes of 2001 showed, terrorists will be brought to justice, whether it takes a week or a year or a decade.