OPINION

Back to normal?

Even if it is true that it was only the detonators that exploded in Thursday’s attacks on the London Underground system – which fortunately did not cause any fatalities – it was just as strong a blow to the British capital as the four attacks on London’s public transport system two weeks ago. With this in mind, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the country’s police chiefs rushed to reassure citizens that Thursday’s attacks were not connected to the original fatal blasts. Nevertheless, the shaken public was unable to stop thinking that the British (and currently also European) capital was still vulnerable, despite the draconian security and surveillance measures that have been implemented. Unfortunately, neither a police or military shield nor a surveillance system is capable of averting terrorism. It is certain, however, that these latest attacks will fuel scaremongering extremists. The only effective shield would be a political and moral one, but this does not exist, nor is it likely to in the near future. The Western world, confident of its political and moral supremacy, never thinks that terrorism is also a political phenomenon. Blair stressed that the British authorities handled Thursday’s attacks «calmly» and encouraged Britons to «continue with (their) normal lives.» While explosions, panic and fatalities are not everyday occurrences in Europe and the USA, this not the case everywhere…

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