January 16, 2002. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

AmericaÕs hidden war against terrorism

LONDON, January 16, Graphic News: Large-scale bombing in Afghanistan may be largely over, but Washington says the war against terrorism is far from concluded. A number of countries have been identified by the U.S. as harbouring al-Qaeda groups or other organisations linked in some way with Osama bin Laden and the September attacks on New York and Washington.

The Bush administration has now embarked on proxy wars on terrorism in the Philippines, Yemen and Somalia by quietly providing intelligence, training and weapons while the locals do most, if not all, of the fighting.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said last week that the administration is working with every nation in the U.S.-led coalition Òencouraging them to take steps internally.Ó Rumsfeld warned that the manhunt for key Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders could continue for months, if not years, ahead.

In the most high-profile deployment, U.S. special forces have started joint operations in the southern Philippines with local troops against Abu Sayyaf rebels -- a Muslim extremist group linked to the al-Qaeda network. Some two dozen or so troops have been deployed in Zamboanga, the headquarters of the PhilippinesÕ southern military command, for counter-terrorism exercises. By mid-February, the full contingent of about 160 special forces -- including Navy SEALs, the ArmyÕs Green Berets, Delta Force and Air Force special forces -- will be deployed to help in the fight against Abu Sayyaf. Backing them will be about 500 U.S. support and technical personnel.

But the extended struggle against terrorism is not without cost to the U.S. taxpayer. In November Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo returned from Washington with promises of over $100 million in military aid.

The PhilippinesÕ neighbour, Indonesia, is another American surrogate, soon to take part in a U.S.-sponsored counter-terrorism training program. Despite IndonesiaÕs rocky political history, especially the excessive bloodshed in East Timor, the United States is helping the Muslim country with hopes of preventing the Southeast Asian nation from turning into a major al-Qaeda hub.

President Bush has promised that 2002 Òwill be a war year.Ó However, he has suggested that the wars wonÕt be as bold and obvious as the Afghanistan conflict. Instead, they will rely heavily on diplomatic and intelligence efforts.

In Somalia the U.S. has been conducting reconnaissance flights to search for al-Qaeda terrorist camps and and the U.S. Navy is patrolling the coast. The country has no effective central government, and much of it is divided into fiefdoms presided over by competing warlords. 

A more covert battle is taking place in Yemen, whose president met privately with Bush last November. At the time, U.S. aides discussed a multimillion-dollar aid package for the Arab nation; weeks later, U.S.-trained and equipped Yemeni forces attacked a tribal group believed to be harbouring al-Qaeda operatives.

Pakistan has received more than $50 million in aid and had U.S. economic sanctions lifted after agreeing to let American forces use its airspace and bases during the Afghanistan bombing campaign. President Pervez Musharraf has since ordered the  detention of hundreds of activists from banned Islamic groups and closure of scores of their offices in an effort to ease tensions with neighbouring nuclear rival India. According to an interior ministry official some 1,100 activists from five outlawed groups had been detained since January 13 with around 390 offices sealed. 

Rumsfeld has said repeatedly that the multinational coalition would feature an ever-changing cast of players, with each nation dealt with individually. Engaging in proxy wars means fewer American casualties and the ability for the United States to avoid a visible link to nations with less than stellar reputations.

ÒWe donÕt have ÔaÕ coalition,Ó Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke told reporters. ÒWhat we have is evolving, changing coalitions, which change over time as circumstances and demands and needs require.Ó
/ENDS
Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, UPI, Center for Strategic and International Studies