Who's helping the terrorists?

September 26, 2001 | The Miami Herald
by Frank Calzon

Is it possible for a small group of terrorists to bring about the planning, coordination, reconnaissance and execution of the Sept. 11 attacks without logistical support of a foreign government?
President Bush no doubt will try to obtain an answer to that question as well as the reasons for two fatal failures in U.S. intelligence and airport security.

The failure of intelligence cannot be explained away by acknowledging the difficulties inherent in intelligence work and the high proficiency of the terrorists. The administration must review current intelligence scope and methods, including self-imposed constraints on American intelligence operations overseas.

Americans are not in favor of giving up basic freedoms and turning their country into a police state. Fortunately, there are steps that could be taken, without impinging on fundamental freedoms to enhance U.S. intelligence, although some conveniences in air travel will have to be curtailed.

The attacks brought two basic facts to the consciousness of Americans who have come of age believing in the invulnerability of this country: that despite America's best intentions, there is evil in the world; and the notion that ``bad things happen to good people only when they give offense'' is not a good basis for survival.

Americans now understand that each act of terrorism that goes unpunished gives comfort to those entertaining similar deeds
. The constraints put on the intelligence agencies since the 1970s forced the United States to rely on technology while minimizing the work of agents on the ground. In the Middle East and elsewhere, this could be fatal.

How would the FBI monitor Mafia activities if it could not establish relations with criminal elements? How is U.S. intelligence to identify threats to American lives if by executive order it cannot develop relationships with unsavory, even murderous actors? Now Israel's behavior, despite its tragic outcomes at times, suddenly is seen in a different light.
What are Bush's options?

Order the gathering of information on those engaged in anti-American terror and ask foreign governments and international organizations to help bring them to justice.
Order bombing campaigns that could result in many casualties, the so-called collateral damage.
Bush, however, does not have the power to order the execution of foreign leaders who are behind the terrorist network. Yet, wouldn't it be more humane and effective if those involved in the training, financing and support of terrorist groups were denied the expressed U.S. assurance that their lives are not necessarily at risk?

The job of intelligence agencies is to save American lives. In the future, we could see attacks not against buildings but against nuclear-power plants or in combination with biological and chemical agents to kill millions.
Saddam Hussein has said that he does not need an atomic weapon to wreak havoc on the United States, that there is a ``friendly'' government that can do it for him. Who are his allies? And which ally has the willingness, historical record, technological capacity and geographic advantage to carry out such unspeakable deed?

There should be no statute of limitations for those responsible for the attacks or for others (as in the case of Nazi war criminals) who have committed horrific crimes, even if many years ago. American victims of terrorism and the commitment of an aggrieved nation require no less.

Frank Calzon is Executive Director of the Center for a Free Cuba, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., that promotes human rights and democracy for Cuba.