Cablegate: Media Reaction - Terrorism

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001631

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM, INL
STATE FOR INR/R/MR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI TERRORISM
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - TERRORISM

On July 31, government-owned, editorially independent "La
Nacion" (circ. 3,800) carried an article by defense
journalist Raul Sohr entitled, "The Puzzle of Terrorism."
Quote:

"After the deadly September 11, 2001 attacks, President
George Bush announced he was waging the `first war of the
21st century.' Since then, Washington and many of its
allies use the phrase `war on terrorism.' ... But, what
is a terrorist? ...Many cynics say it's someone who has a
bomb, but not an air force...and members of the armed
forces will say that, unlike terrorists, they never
deliberately hurt civilians. But it is evident that air
raids threaten the lives of civilians and that they are
conducted despite the conventions that prohibit them....
Bush and the Pentagon have taken an important turn in
their fight against terrorism. The change is evident in
the new language, which now calls for `a global fight
against the enemies of freedom.' General Richard
Myers...has also put the problem in a new perspective by
stating it has `more of a diplomatic and economic aspect
than a military one.'"

KELLY

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