October 8, 2001

 

The Editor:

The Globe & Mail

 

Dear Editor:

 

In his speech, announcing the bombing of Afghanistan, President Bush spoke of his abhorence of the killing of innocent victims, as in the killing of 6000 innocent victims in the terrorist attack on Sep. 11, and that the U.S and its allies will punish the perpetrators and those who aid them. He also said: " The U.S.A is a friend of the Afghan people, and we are the friends of almost a billion worldwide who practice the Islamic faith."

 

Such statements by George Bush and Tony Blair exemplify the height of hypocricy. The killing of 6000 innocent victims in New York is clearly a horrible crime, but equally horrible crimes are being committed today by the US and British governments killing 6000 Iraqi children every month, as a result of the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1990. What kind of friendship is this?

 

Similarly, Israeli terrorism against the Palestinian people, killing hundreds of men,women and children and demolishing thousands of their homes, besides the extrajudicial execution of Palestinians, including the use of chemical weapons, continues fully aided by the US. 

 

I think the Muslim world would prefer better friends, and would be satisfied with consistent application of stated universal standarsds and punishments of those perpetrate the killing of innocent victims, be they Americans, Iraqis or Palestinians. The bombing of Afghanistan will bring about more killing and punishment on the Afghani people, to whom President Bush claims friendship. Selective war on terrorism is immoral and unacceptable.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Ismail Zayid, MD.