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Islamic Terrorism: Britain a Security Risk to US

By The Anglo American | July 30, 2008

Jacqui Smith, British Home Secretary

It would be easy to conclude from UK headlines that the British Government is getting tough on Terrorism. But while British Security services seek an extension to the detention laws for potential terrorists the government appears to be undermining their efforts.Cabinet Minister Jacqui Smith has announced a $25 million initiative to provide therapy and counseling to people who are members of extreme violent religious organizations. Crucially, under the new plan, members of such fanatical organizations will not automatically face prosecution.

It is hard for any observer to see a coherent security policy developing in Britain.

For a country that risked its very existence on appeasement in the 1930’s what would make them want to repeat such a doomed experiment?  Not for the first time, British leaders are prepared to treat fanatics as they would themselves - as reasonable people. The root of this folly goes to the heart of the British Labor {Labour} party movement itself. There is a deep distrust of history within the party. It is an ingrained belief born out of European left wing politics that there are no lessons to be learned from the past.

Had the previous Prime Minister Tony Blair had any interest in British history then he would have hesitated before taking on Afghan tribesmen.

Unfortunately, such flawed thinking is not confined just to the British Labor Party. Sir Hugh Orde, the Northern Ireland police chief, believes there should be dialogue with al Qaeda. While Sir Hugh’s credentials on N. Ireland policing are impeccable, his global view on terrorism is not. Even the most fanatical IRA terrorist was not committed to the overthrow of western civilization.

Sir Hugh Orde, N. Ireland Chief of Police

The British Christian leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury has proposed that sharia law should be adopted into British law. His thinking spawns from well of multiculturalism rather than a belief in multi-racism. Multiculturalism has allowed the development of separated communities, within Britain, diametrically opposed to the way of life of their adopted country. It is a policy that is now seen as responsible for the present terrorist threats in Britain. It is also a view that is discredited even within the Archbishop’s own church {See Bishop of Rochester}.

Archbishop of Canterbury

But the Government is making no effort to address the sovereign allegiance of these pocket communities. To do so would be to admit that the experiment in multiculturalism was a mistake. Ironically, to extend the detention of terrorist suspects exacerbates the problems within these isolated inner city tribes.

The full extent of the British Government’s security malaise can be seen in its treatment of the firebrand Islamic teacher, Abu Qatada. Quatada 45, is also known as Bin Laden’s right hand man in Europe. Recognized by the British Government as a refugee he has gone on to undermine the country that granted him sanctuary. His teachings influenced the 9/11 hijackers. One of their ringleaders, Mohammed Atta knew him directly. Security services regard him as the center of al Qaeda activities in Europe and his teachings and writings incite his followers to commit crimes against westerners or non-believers.

Abu Qatada

Qatada was arrested after the 9/11 bombings but never faced trial. Instead Britain’s former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, pursued a policy of exporting terror under a memorandum of understanding with Jordan, Libya and Lebanon. This document allows agreement of extradition between Britain and these three countries, where there is no formal treaty.

Qatada was to be deported to Jordan where he had been tried, in his absence, and found guilty for bombing two hotels in Amman in 1998. However this flimsy letter of agreement was not going to stand up in a British or European courts. The document is in direct defiance of  human rights legislation that this very same British government had already passed into law. The reason as to why they thought it would not conflict with their showcase piece of legislation is impossible to fathom.

The outcome was predictable. Abu Qatada, one of the most dangerous men on the planet, is now free, although still on bail and under curfew.    

With the courts driving several coaches and horses through the state’s laws and a raft of other deportation orders, the British Government’s security policy now lies in ruins.

Jaqui Smith said, in response to the British Courts ruling on Qatada, that she was “extremely disappointed.”  This underwhelming response shows the timidity with which this government acts over Britain’s national security.

In reality, the true response of the British government is to offer terrorists counseling and immunity from automatic prosecution.

To achieve the level of security that the British people are entitled to their government will have to repeal their human rights legislation. It is proving to be a law that protects the rights of people who wish to destroy the rights of others. 

But the most damning indictment for this British government is that, as lawmakers, they have passed bad law. Law that is unfit for purpose. 

At this time of national security there is a law on the British statute that would adequately meet their needs, because it has done so many times in the past. It is called the Emergency Powers Act. It allows the government of the day to take whatever action is necessary to secure the safety of the nation. But how effective it would be in the face of British Human Rights Act is debatable. No doubt it would probably lead to yet another long battle in the courts.   

Not surprisingly the American government is putting extra security measures in place towards “visa waiver” countries such as the UK. The fact that Britain is unable to defend itself against terrorism will not stop United States from doing so.

©The Anglo American

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