Anti-Terrorism – Tony Blair, British Prime Minister, October 2, 2001 Speech to Labor Party
I. Activating Prior Knowledge
Terrorism is not easy to define or explain. It often involves discriminate use of violence by groups who believe their cause is just but who face opposition from a superior force. The violence often targets civilians, who are seen as legitimate victims as part of a larger effort to challenge and disrupt a society seen as oppressive. Terrorist methods often depend on relatively modern technologies, such as car bombs or hijacking planes.
In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, widely attributed to Osama Bin Laden’s organization, Blair emerged as the West’s most articulate spokesperson. One should note that casualty estimates at this point were higher than what turned out to be the case. Blair explains a widespread reaction to mounting terror and what might be done against it. As he anticipated, Britain and the United States launched a vigorous attack on terrorist activities in Afghanistan in early October. The war was initially backed by many nations around the world, including, although with a number of cautions, moderate Muslim leaders and most Muslim Americans.
II. Setting A Purpose for Reading
As you read this article you should be able to identify how Blair defined the West’s position against terrorism. Was the September 11 attacks truly a turning point in world history?
III. Reading the Text (Read, Re-Read, and Read Again)
In retrospect, the Millennium marked only a moment in time. It was the events of September 11 that marked a turning point in history, where we confront the dangers of the future and assess the choices facing humankind.
It was a tragedy. An act of evil …
I believe their memorial (victims of September 11) can and should be greater than simply the punishment of the guilty. It is that out of the shadow of this evil, should emerge lasting good: destruction of the machinery of terrorism wherever it is found; hope amongst all nations of a new beginning where we seek to resolve differences in a calm and ordered way; greater understanding between nations and faiths; and above all justice and prosperity for the poor and dispossessed, so that people everywhere can see the chance of a better future through hard work and creative power of the free citizen, not the violence and savagery of the fanatic.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. According to Tony Blair, how should we honor the victims of September 11?
And, of course there are dangers; it is a new situation.
Every reasonable measure of internal security is being undertaken.
Our way of life is a great deal stronger and will last a great deal longer than the actions of fanatics, small in number and now facing a unified world against them.
People should have confidence.
This is a battle with only one outcome: our victory not theirs.
What happened on 11 September was without parallel in the bloody history of terrorism.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. What is the author’s purpose for writing this section?
We know those responsible. In Afghanistan are scores of training camps for the export of terror. Chief amongst the sponsors and organizers is Usama Bin Laden.
He is supported, shielded and given succor by the Taliban regime.
Be in no doubt: Bin Laden and his people organized this atrocity. The Taliban aid and abet him. He will not desist from further acts of terror. They will not stop helping him.
Whatever the dangers of the action we take, the dangers of inaction are far, far greater.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. According to this passage, who was responsible for the September 11 attacks?
Look for a moment at the Taliban regime. It is undemocratic. That goes without saying.
There is no sport allowed, or television or photography. No art or culture is permitted. All other faiths, all other interpretations of Islam are ruthlessly suppressed. Those who practice their faith are imprisoned. Women are treated in a way almost too revolting to be credible. First driven out of university; girls not allowed to go to school; no legal rights; unable to go out of doors without a man. Those that disobey are stoned.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. What are the accusations made against the Taliban in this paragraph?
There is now no contact permitted with western agencies, even those delivering food. The people live in abject poverty. It is a regime founded on fear and funded on the drugs trade. The biggest drugs hoard in the world is in Afghanistan, controlled by the Taliban. Ninety per cent of the heroin on British streets originates in Afghanistan.
The arms the Taliban are buying today are paid for with the lives of young British people buying their drugs on British streets.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. How do the Taliban treat their people? Where do they receive their funding?
So what do we do?
Don’t overreact some say. We aren’t.
We haven’t lashed out. No missiles on the first night just for effect.
Don’t kill innocent people. We are not the ones who waged war on the innocent. We seek the guilty.
Look for a diplomatic solution. There is no diplomacy with Bin Laden or the Taliban regime.
State an ultimatum and get their response. We stated the ultimatum; they haven’t responded.
Understand the causes of terror. Yes, we should try, but let there be no moral ambiguity about this: nothing could ever justify the events of 11 September, and it is to turn justice on its head to pretend it could.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. Identify one of the initial reactions that a person might have and Blair’s response. Do you agree with his response? Why or why not?
The action we take will be proportionate; targeted; we will do all we humanly can to avoid civilian casualties. But understand what we are dealing with. Listen to the calls of those passengers on the planes. Think of the children on them, told they were going to die.
Think of the cruelty beyond our comprehension as amongst the screams and the anguish of the innocent, those hijackers drove at full throttle planes laden with fuel into buildings where tens of thousands worked.
They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000 does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?
There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror.
Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must.
Any action taken will be against the terrorist network of Bin Laden.
As for the Taliban, they can surrender the terrorists; or face the consequences and again in any action the aim will be to eliminate their military hardware, cut off their finances, disrupt their supplies, target their troops, not civilians. We will put a trap around the regime.
I say to the Taliban: surrender the terrorists; or surrender power. It’s your choice….
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. What types of actions does Blair suggest taking against terrorists? What arguments does he use to support these actions?
Round the world, 11 September is bringing Governments and people to reflect, consider, and change. And in this process, admist all the talk of war and action, there is another dimension appearing.
There is a coming together. The power of community is asserting itself. We are realizing how fragile are our frontiers in the face of the world’s new challenges.
When we act to bring to account those that committed the atrocity of September 11, we do so, not out of bloodlust.
We do it because it is just. We do not act against Islam. The true followers of Islam are our brothers and sisters in this struggle. Bin Laden is no more obedient to the proper teaching of the Koran than those Crusaders of the 12th century who pillaged and murdered, represented the teaching of the Gospel.
It is time the west confronted its ignorance of Islam. Jews, Muslims, and Christians are all children of Abraham.
This is the moment to bring the faiths closer together in understanding of our common values and heritage, a source of unity and strength.
It is time also for parts of Islam to confront prejudice against America and not only Islam but parts of western societies too.
IV. Personal Reflection
1. What were Blair’s views on Islam? Give one statement from the passage that supports your response.
2. If implemented, how effective would Blair’s ideas have been?
3. Was 2001 a turning point in world history, as Blair claimed? Give evidence to support your response.
V. Peer Reflection
Read the responses posted by three students. Did you agree or disagree with their response to question #3? Give at least one reason why or why not?
I. Activating Prior Knowledge
Terrorism is not easy to define or explain. It often involves discriminate use of violence by groups who believe their cause is just but who face opposition from a superior force. The violence often targets civilians, who are seen as legitimate victims as part of a larger effort to challenge and disrupt a society seen as oppressive. Terrorist methods often depend on relatively modern technologies, such as car bombs or hijacking planes.
In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, widely attributed to Osama Bin Laden’s organization, Blair emerged as the West’s most articulate spokesperson. One should note that casualty estimates at this point were higher than what turned out to be the case. Blair explains a widespread reaction to mounting terror and what might be done against it. As he anticipated, Britain and the United States launched a vigorous attack on terrorist activities in Afghanistan in early October. The war was initially backed by many nations around the world, including, although with a number of cautions, moderate Muslim leaders and most Muslim Americans.
II. Setting A Purpose for Reading
As you read this article you should be able to identify how Blair defined the West’s position against terrorism. Was the September 11 attacks truly a turning point in world history?
III. Reading the Text (Read, Re-Read, and Read Again)
In retrospect, the Millennium marked only a moment in time. It was the events of September 11 that marked a turning point in history, where we confront the dangers of the future and assess the choices facing humankind.
It was a tragedy. An act of evil …
I believe their memorial (victims of September 11) can and should be greater than simply the punishment of the guilty. It is that out of the shadow of this evil, should emerge lasting good: destruction of the machinery of terrorism wherever it is found; hope amongst all nations of a new beginning where we seek to resolve differences in a calm and ordered way; greater understanding between nations and faiths; and above all justice and prosperity for the poor and dispossessed, so that people everywhere can see the chance of a better future through hard work and creative power of the free citizen, not the violence and savagery of the fanatic.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. According to Tony Blair, how should we honor the victims of September 11?
And, of course there are dangers; it is a new situation.
Every reasonable measure of internal security is being undertaken.
Our way of life is a great deal stronger and will last a great deal longer than the actions of fanatics, small in number and now facing a unified world against them.
People should have confidence.
This is a battle with only one outcome: our victory not theirs.
What happened on 11 September was without parallel in the bloody history of terrorism.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. What is the author’s purpose for writing this section?
We know those responsible. In Afghanistan are scores of training camps for the export of terror. Chief amongst the sponsors and organizers is Usama Bin Laden.
He is supported, shielded and given succor by the Taliban regime.
Be in no doubt: Bin Laden and his people organized this atrocity. The Taliban aid and abet him. He will not desist from further acts of terror. They will not stop helping him.
Whatever the dangers of the action we take, the dangers of inaction are far, far greater.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. According to this passage, who was responsible for the September 11 attacks?
Look for a moment at the Taliban regime. It is undemocratic. That goes without saying.
There is no sport allowed, or television or photography. No art or culture is permitted. All other faiths, all other interpretations of Islam are ruthlessly suppressed. Those who practice their faith are imprisoned. Women are treated in a way almost too revolting to be credible. First driven out of university; girls not allowed to go to school; no legal rights; unable to go out of doors without a man. Those that disobey are stoned.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. What are the accusations made against the Taliban in this paragraph?
There is now no contact permitted with western agencies, even those delivering food. The people live in abject poverty. It is a regime founded on fear and funded on the drugs trade. The biggest drugs hoard in the world is in Afghanistan, controlled by the Taliban. Ninety per cent of the heroin on British streets originates in Afghanistan.
The arms the Taliban are buying today are paid for with the lives of young British people buying their drugs on British streets.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. How do the Taliban treat their people? Where do they receive their funding?
So what do we do?
Don’t overreact some say. We aren’t.
We haven’t lashed out. No missiles on the first night just for effect.
Don’t kill innocent people. We are not the ones who waged war on the innocent. We seek the guilty.
Look for a diplomatic solution. There is no diplomacy with Bin Laden or the Taliban regime.
State an ultimatum and get their response. We stated the ultimatum; they haven’t responded.
Understand the causes of terror. Yes, we should try, but let there be no moral ambiguity about this: nothing could ever justify the events of 11 September, and it is to turn justice on its head to pretend it could.
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. Identify one of the initial reactions that a person might have and Blair’s response. Do you agree with his response? Why or why not?
The action we take will be proportionate; targeted; we will do all we humanly can to avoid civilian casualties. But understand what we are dealing with. Listen to the calls of those passengers on the planes. Think of the children on them, told they were going to die.
Think of the cruelty beyond our comprehension as amongst the screams and the anguish of the innocent, those hijackers drove at full throttle planes laden with fuel into buildings where tens of thousands worked.
They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000 does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?
There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror.
Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must.
Any action taken will be against the terrorist network of Bin Laden.
As for the Taliban, they can surrender the terrorists; or face the consequences and again in any action the aim will be to eliminate their military hardware, cut off their finances, disrupt their supplies, target their troops, not civilians. We will put a trap around the regime.
I say to the Taliban: surrender the terrorists; or surrender power. It’s your choice….
Stop! Can you answer the following questions based on what you read? If not, then go back and re-read. What types of actions does Blair suggest taking against terrorists? What arguments does he use to support these actions?
Round the world, 11 September is bringing Governments and people to reflect, consider, and change. And in this process, admist all the talk of war and action, there is another dimension appearing.
There is a coming together. The power of community is asserting itself. We are realizing how fragile are our frontiers in the face of the world’s new challenges.
When we act to bring to account those that committed the atrocity of September 11, we do so, not out of bloodlust.
We do it because it is just. We do not act against Islam. The true followers of Islam are our brothers and sisters in this struggle. Bin Laden is no more obedient to the proper teaching of the Koran than those Crusaders of the 12th century who pillaged and murdered, represented the teaching of the Gospel.
It is time the west confronted its ignorance of Islam. Jews, Muslims, and Christians are all children of Abraham.
This is the moment to bring the faiths closer together in understanding of our common values and heritage, a source of unity and strength.
It is time also for parts of Islam to confront prejudice against America and not only Islam but parts of western societies too.
IV. Personal Reflection
1. What were Blair’s views on Islam? Give one statement from the passage that supports your response.
2. If implemented, how effective would Blair’s ideas have been?
3. Was 2001 a turning point in world history, as Blair claimed? Give evidence to support your response.
V. Peer Reflection
Read the responses posted by three students. Did you agree or disagree with their response to question #3? Give at least one reason why or why not?
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