From: Ismail Zayid
To: Guardian Weekly
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2001 4:43 PM
Subject: Selective war on terrorism

October 15, 2001
 
The Editor:
The Guardian Weekly
 
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. 
 
We are told that no bombing of the Afghani people took place on Friday, as it is a holy day for Muslims. Are we, then, to understand that it is perfectly gracious to kill Muslims six days a week, but not seven days?!
 
I think the Muslim world would prefer better friends than George Bush and Tony Blair. They would be satisfied with consistent application of stated universal standarsds of international law and punishment of ALL those who perpetrate the killing of innocent victims, be they Americans, Iraqis, Palestinians or other innocent human beings. 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.