Symposium on Fighting Terrorism

U.S. Symposium in Pakistan offers a new dialogue in fighting terrorism
By Staff Sgt. Reeba Critser, Third Army/U.S. Army Central Public Affairs Office
Apr 18, 2007; Blackanthem.com

Blackanthem Military News, Islamabad, PAKISTAN – For 22 senior military leaders and the President of Pakistan, the second Land Forces Symposium conducted by Third Army/U.S. Army Central April 11 - 12 at the National Defence University in Islamabad, Pakistan, highlighted the many tools available for regional militaries to better combat terrorism.

Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Third Army/U.S. Army Central Commanding General, said the symposium was not about discussing military tactics, but to advise everyone’s respective government, leaders and people how to win the war on terror.

Hosted by the Pakistan army and U.S. Army Central, the theme of the conference was Common Security and the Global War on Terror.

Attendees discussed such topics as counterterrorism and capacity building, global and national security concerns, and the winning of individuals’ hearts and minds.

“In my opinion, your appearance here is a dedicated, long-term commitment to reach a resolution in the war on terror,” said Gen. Ahsan Saleem Hyat, vice chief of staff of the Pakistan army, in his opening remarks to the visiting delegates.

Guest speaker Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf shared his knowledge of terrorism with the delegates.

Several religious organizations coalesced and became extremists. A networking began all over the Muslim world. These extremist organizations coalesced because of the sense of powerlessness, which led to terrorism, said Musharraf.

Musharraf said he believes political disputes generated bitterness and hatred against others and increased the feeling that the world is out to target Islam.

“Whether we like it or not, this is the view of the man in the street,” he said.

Adding to that, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the architecture of terrorism is developed through five pillars: resolve disputes and conflicts by engaging all stakeholders visible and invisible; win the hearts and minds of the people concerned; evolve exit strategies in all conflicts; adopt a holistic approach to conflict situations, with employment and income opportunities; remove hurdles and empower the people to reduce poverty and thereby the risk of extreme behavior.

Other delegates agreed with Aziz.

“If we end despair and look to the five points [Aziz] gave earlier, his solution is more political than military,” said Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge, commander of the Kenyan army. “The military should be the last resort. I’m glad that the political is being put on top of the strategic.”

Also at the symposium, Gen. Dan K. McNeill, commander of the International Security Force in Afghanistan, said “Modernism must not come at the expense of basic identity.”

“There are three conditions to succeed,” he said. “The country elite must be enthusiastic in supporting change. The public must be willing to accept the change. Thirdly, the international community must accept the redefined state.”

Offering another point of view was speaker Dr. Orozbek Moldaliev, a retired colonel with the Kyrgyzstan Diplomatic Academy.

“There are reasons why we are not able to turn terrorism,” said Moldaliev, using a translator.

He said two of the biggest challenges are cooperation and communication between countries and people who harbor and fund terrorists.

For retired Gen. David W. Barno, director of Near East and South Asia Center, the war has changed its strategy.

“Maneuver is receding as we see an enemy that has improved counterinsurgency and guerilla warfare,” he said. “Now every action is enabled by the Internet and media. Achieving victory is not on the battlefield or airspace, but with leadership at home.”

Another topic of discussion was the impact of media in the war against terror.

“Media likes to see doom and gloom on Islam instead of seeing Islam as a peaceful religion,” said Brig. Gen. Aisha Bint Al Hussein, director of the Jordanian Armed Forces Directorate of Military Women’s Affairs. “The media plays a role in highlighting the terrible things, not the peaceful beauty of our religion.”

Barno said the media tends to promote the suicide bombers by airing the incident on television.

“We must deglamorize the use of suicide members in society,” Barno said. “Societies are the first line of defense. This is more dangerous than IEDs.”

The last topic discussed was how to get the public on the governments’ side. One way to achieve this is through modernization, according to McNeill.

“There are three approaches to modernization,” he said. “The first approach is to reject change and protect people’s identity. The Taliban took hold because of this. The second is when a populace abandons its former culture and tradition in the radical pursuit of progress. Reformism is the third form. Careful acceptance and management are key. Afghans seem best suited to the reformist approach.”

In addition to this, McNeill said there are three conditions to succeed.

The elite of a country must be enthusiastic in supporting change, he said. The public must be willing to accept the change. And, the international community must accept the redefined state.

Some believe that this process is important in winning the war on terror.

The representatives in attendance were from Australia, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States and Yemen.