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Show cmB nBmi AGpts. mm S Editorial Editorial: RaeDawn Olbcrt oo cr, c 3 I re 3 c C o E CI c s to Recent terrorist assaults are engraved in memory: 241 U.S. servicemen dead from a suicide bombing in Beirut, the anguish of TWA Flight 847, the hijacking of the Achille Lauro, 60 dead aboard an Egyptian airliner, the bombing of a disco in West Berlin -the list goes on and on. And it is predicted that more of the same is ahead. International law on the subject of terrorism is somewhat vague, and as is quite evident, countries are hesitating to endorse retaliatory actions against terrorism. Thus, with the bombing of Libya, the U.S. stands virtually alone in its fight against terrorism. And any tactician can tell you isolation is the first step in defeating your opponent. With our action, world isolation shifted from Libya to the U.S. We became the attacker -Libya, the victim. Hindsight is 2020, however. The problem is how to deal with future terrorist attacks without bringing more repercussions. Terrorism, once thought of in connection with outbursts by madmen or fringe groups, is now everywhere. No one is immune to the problem, and no simple solution applies. David C. Rapoport, political science professor at UCLA, said that terrorists, unlike most, do not follow societal guidelines. "The distinguishing characteristic of the terrorist . . . is a conscious decision to abandon such restraints. Terror is extra-normal violence. It involves acts which the perpetrator knows will be regarded as atrocities. Its object is to create a new consciousness by methods which provoke extreme emotional reactions: panic, horror revulsion, outrage and sympathy." Rebels sometimes use terror, and so do established authorities. Most who pursue a cause with violence short of organized combat have an official backer somewhere, inspiring a new term -"state-sponsored terrorism." Are the Red Brigades kidnappers in Italy terrorists? By most definitions, yes. Are the Palestinian killers of Israelis terrorists? They claim to be fighting for a homeland. Are the U.S. -sponsored Contras in Nicaragua terrorists? One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. With the characteristics of terrorists in mind, it seems we're playing right into terrorists' hands. Although unfeasible, ignoring these actions would be the best possible answer. The next best solution is prevention, whether by security measures or economic sanctions. Prevention will never be 100 percent terrorist-proof, but many are beginning to turn to it as a possible way out of this mess. Increased efforts are being made to keep the number of attacks down. A $5 billion security program for U.S. buildings abroad is being pitched to Congress. Vice President Bush is heading a commission calling for closer cooperation of governments, including joint military action for rescue operations. And President Reagan is asking U.S. allies to join in economic sanctions against Libya. Maybe these actions are not the most inspiring. To some, they may even seem cowardly. But, how do you fight something that is irrational, unafraid, and seemingly spontaneous9 Until the momentum dies, it is hard to control a raging problem such as this. Editorial: Bryan Growcock 1986 will undoubtedly go down in history as THE year for terrorism, but more importantly . . . the year the United States DID something about the barbarous acts. The acts of violence were widespread and several countries were linked to terrorist activity. Many eyes were opened about what can and does come about as a result of power hungry and bloodthirsty government leaders. Because of the severe tension between various countries and its leaders, demonstrations were carried out and tempers flared. Some foreigners in this country also experienced problems, including some of the foreign students at WSC. After the U.S. attack on Libya, some of these students were threatened and others were targets for ethnic slurs. There were various incidents, and students from many ethnic backgrounds were affected. It appeared as though the abuse was aimed at Libyan students, but other students were affected as well. "Many students cannot distinguish between students from one country or another, and many students have been targeted," said Darnel Haney, associate dean of students, after the incidents occurred. According to school officials, students were looking at foreigners, especially those from the Middle East, as if they were terrorists. Officials also said that the majority of (American) students are illiterates when it comes to knowing and understanding different cultures. It was indicated that if students were acquainted with these cultures, they would be able to identify with what these foreign students are experiencing in their studies at WSC. Several administrators remembered years past when demonstrations turned to violence at Weber. The Iranian crisis was one cause of past incidents and college officials were prepared to make sure history would not repeat itself in 1986. It was reported recently that, following the U.S. attack on Libya, some foreign students were verbally harassed by a group of female students in the union building. The students were threatened and repeatedly subjected to ethnic slurs. It was not reported what nationality these harassed students were. The abuse came from Americans, and Haney said, "You don't see foreigners going against foreigner." Segregation among religious and ethnic groups has always existed at WSC, according to Haney, and as a result, some of this tension surfaced after the bombings. No students were physically harmed during the events, and shortly after the incidents, the Libyan students and other foreigners kept a very low profile. Although verbal abuse was reported, demonstrations neither for nor against Libya were conducted. Campus groups and clubs were told to be aware of and watch for these potential problems. There are currently about 321 foreign students at WSC. They come from a variety of countries and cultural backgrounds. Some have grown up in poverty-stricken nations, and others have been raised in some of the world's wealthiest countries. Students come here from nations where the government is unstable at best, and still others from countries that have been plagued by war for many years. Many foreigners received scholarships from their own government to study here. These students come here with hopes of returning to their countries after their education is completed. Of the foreign students interviewed at WSC, all plan to return home upon completion of their degrees. Some said they could not return because of political problems. Students from Middle Eastern countries such as Iran or Pakistan could experience problems if they return home. Kathryn Price, director of the International Student Center, said that several students have political problems during their studies and are deported by immigration officials if serious problems arise. Regardless of where these students come from, adjusting to a new culture can be traumatic. Foreign students learn a new language, adapt to a different culture, and many put their religious practices on hold because there are no facilities available to them for their worship. Then, added to these pressures are some things that almost all students face . . . coming up with tuition and fees every quarter, coping with expenses for food and housing, being away from family and friends and, of course, dealing with midterms and final exams. These students have, however, chosen to study at WSC and, as an overall consensus, they like it here. |