WASHINGTON D.C. -Spring 2007 is proving to be a critical turning point in the global conflict rooted in religion, resources and culture. Widespread instability caused by increased terrorism, endemic government corruption and suffocating poverty is tragically compounded by an increasing reliance on the use of force. Despite increasing calls to stabilize core institutions in the conflict areas, there remains a grave lack of coherency in practicing comprehensive solutions. In Afghanistan, Iraq, North Africa and the Muslim regions of Thailand and the Philippines the impact of orchestrated and reflexive violence committed by both Islamic extremists and the American forces and their allies have only escalated the destruction of numerous communities, furthering cycles of vengeance.

Yet, several development organizations have chosen to focus non-violent methods that emphasize the role of education, arts and livelihood programs. Their success has demonstrated alternatives that can reduce or stop pervasive violence.

Royal programs in Thailand and the Asia America Initiative, US Institute of Peace, Tabang Mindanao, Datu Paglas and others in Mindanao, Philippines have helped to stabilize and empower communities they are assisting. Currently, there is a need to balance security with sustainable development in conflict-plagued areas. Terror organizations target foreign and local humanitarians and educators intending to terminate any hope for peace and a better life. Furthermore, private NGOs and local communities who have chosen peace are also being violated by aggressive U.S.-backed military campaigns.

Another obstacle to expand successful programs is an imbalance in public information. Private organizations often lack essential funding for extensive publicity. Meanwhile, journalists seer war stories to expand their audience. Expensive military “Information Operations” fund media campaigns that convey false lessons-learned emphasizing progress is a result of armed force, with Vietnam-like body counts of enemy dead as the gauge for success.

The April 15, 2007 Washington Post and numerous news agencies reported that in Afghanistan, near Jalalabhad, trust was shattered in one of the few Pashtun tribal areas that had preserved come openness toward American-led anti-Taliban forces. This happened when U.S. Marines opened fire on unarmed civilians killing at least 10 and wounding 33. The incident occurred on March 4 following a suicide bombing by a Taliban terrorist. Instead of building solidarity with the local people against terror, the marines’ special operations unit was removed from the country. Their indiscriminate violence caused revulsion against U.S. and Afghan government presence.
The same edition of the Post front page was dominated by colorful photos of American mercenary “contractors” in Iraq, resembling characters from “Triple X” movies, who were accused of murder against civilians. Unfortunately, to populations who endure life in such war zones these men characterize the America that they have come to distrust. This is especially tragic, because as Georgie Anne Geyer cited in her April 15 syndicated column, in a recent national poll taken by Foreign Affairs magazine, “68 percent [of Americans] think the world sees us negatively, and a large majority has a negative opinion on military options."

There is a crucial need to defeat terrorists who gain from strategically planned violence. Yet, brutal and sometimes lawless tactics by governments of “democratic” countries cause bitter populations to become more vulnerable to terrorist recruitment. The April 15, 2007 Bangkok Nation reported that in the Muslim province of Pattani, where Buddhist and Muslim school teachers are routinely assassinated, three unarmed boys ages 13 and 14 were shot and killed by Thai paramilitary rangers. The rangers believed the children were about to attack them. The following day, hundreds of angry local residents gathered on a main road near the Pattani Central Mosque shortly after burying the 13- to 15-year-old victims. Witnesses said the three victims and two other injured boys were playing tag on the road at the time of the shooting.

In late March 2007 Director Al Santoli of Asia America Initiative (AAI) returned to the Autonomous Muslim region of the Philippines. There, Santoli continued to expand AAI’s innovative program, Development for Peace in Sulu (DPIS), which works to integrate education with livelihood programs. AAI brought some $500,000 [retail value] of fresh medicines to the regional hospital and school clinics, despite limited operational funds and no US government support. Additionally, in partnership with Manila-based NGOs, AAI is distributing some 30,000 text books and library books to 16 Model of Excellence public schools-from elementary through college-as part of the DPIS program.

The most inspiring DPIS achievement is the 2007 performance of AAI assisted schools in regional academic exams. With the help of AAI, Mohammad Tulawie Central Elementary School which initially had a scarce number of text books and six students per one termite-eaten desk finished first among 93 schools in both the Math and the General Subjects exams. The first Peace Zone School, Kasambuhan Elementary, located in the Indanan war zone near where the Abu Sayaf threatened to harm Santoli, finished second in the Math test. Furthermore, Kawmpang Elementary, which was an overcrowded site lacking the most basic educational materials finished third in the General Subjects category.

AAI’s Community Service college scholars began volunteering Kawmpang Elementary School in 2005.

(To be continued)

By Al Santoli

Successful Counters to Terror -2