Terrorism Defined

Lebanon say that they are going after terrorists. The catch? Lebanon will define who the terrorists are.

Lebanon claimed Monday it is combating groups it considers to be terrorist but indicated it will not bow to longstanding US demands to go after groups that are recognized as terrorist by Washington. “Defining terrorism is done according to Lebanon’s understanding, and this is fundamental,” Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh said. “It is a matter of Lebanese sovereignty to legally decide.”

Note: I was under the impression that central bank governors announce monetary policy only.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and the palestinians have accused India and Israel of “state terrorism”, characterizing the real terrorists as people “seeking freedom from foreign occupation”.

Pakistan and the Palestinians upset an anti-terrorism summit on Monday, accusing India and Israel of “state terrorism” that could justify Muslims engaging in guerrilla warfare against them.

“State terrorism targets people seeking freedom from foreign occupation – as in Palestine and Kashmir,” Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said.

“There should be no selective application of the international norms and standards against terrorism,” he told a day-long conference of world leaders at a New York hotel.

So long as India “persists in its violent suppression of the Kashmiri people, they have a legitimate right to resist Indian occupation,” Musharraf said. “Equating their freedom struggle with terrorism is a travesty.”

“We are ready for dialogue. Now it is India’s call. It should respond positively,” he said.

Musharraf’s remarks were echoed by Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath, who told the conference that armed struggle against Israel was justified by its use of “state terrorism” against Palestinians.

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