Asian students at USU worry about the roles their countries may play in fighting terrorism, Afghanistan
When President George W. Bush officially declared war against terrorism last week, many of the world’s leading countries offered their support. Various Asian students on campus commented on a CNN report on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Although the Asian countries announced their collaboration with the United States in fighting against terrorism, they may not be able to offer military assistance. They have agreed to provide any form of cooperation the U.S. requires.
“This incident has nothing to do with me as long as we don’t start a war,” said Phaik Siew Tan, a senior from Malaysia majoring in Civil Engineering.
To Tan, war means bombs and casualties. She said she is proud of her country in its fight against terrorism, but if the fight causes more trouble for the country, then it is better to not join in the war.
Malaysia, the report said, has expressed its cooperation and willingness to assist the U.S. in the investigation of the attacks. The Malaysian military is also ready whenever needed.
Responding to Bush’s declaration of war, Hui Ling Ng, a senior majoring in technical engineering, said she does not want to see more deaths.
“Malaysian or not, this incident involves all people. We are all responsible to help not start another war,” she said.
Many students, when asked about their reaction to war, were afraid or even scared.
“If the U.S. intends to fight terrorism, it can, but not with weapons,” said Kyoung-Sook Cho, a sophomore from South Korea majoring in English literature.
“Retaliation is important. Unification is important. But peace is most important,” Cho said.
According to the report, South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung has promised Bush, South Korea will support the U.S. by joining the international anti-terrorism coalition.
When asked about her view concerning a possible U.S. attack on Afghanistan, Cho said the end result is given. “Afghanistan is so small, and the U.S. is powerful. Afghanistan will not be able to protect itself from the U.S.,” she said.
“Attacking Afghanistan is not going to solve the problem,” said Satya H., a graduate student from India majoring in business information systems. “In fact, Afghanistan is made out of shackles. There is nothing to destroy.”
First, we have to decide who the actual enemy is, H. said.
“This is not a war against one country. Instead, it is more of a diplomatic thing, and actual killing will not solve anything,” he said.
India, although suffering from civil war, has agreed to provide the U.S. its military bases in case of retaliation, the report stated. It is also providing information to the U.S. about Islamic extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“I think anti-terrorism is good, but to offer military bases is not good,” said Sujatha Raghunath, a graduate student from India. “The military is the strength to a country, and if it is played around, the country might be left with nothing.”
“Furthermore, India might lose its independence again,” Raghunath said.
Once the foreigners come, they might not leave, and history might repeat itself, she said.
“The British did it, and the Americans might do the same, too,” she said.
Pakistan has offered full support to the U.S. in its assault against Afghanistan. Some of Pakistan’s majority Muslim population has warned if Pakistan were to join the U.S. to attack Afghanistan, they would take up arms, according to the CNN report.
“The Taliban started in Pakistan and most of the Taliban members are citizens of Pakistan,” H. said. “I am not sure what kind of support Pakistan is able to afford.”
Another section of the report stated the People’s Republic of China has announced its readiness to join the U.S in the global war against terrorism. China has emphasized that peace, not war, is the best solution. The country has also expressed that in case of retaliation, it is to be consulted before providing its support, according to the report.
“What China said is nonsense. It is useless,” said Le Le Yang, a graduate student from China majoring in journalism. “China has its own agenda in helping the U.S.”
The main interest in China’s involvement with the U.S. is the containment of its Xin Jiang Province which is primarily Muslim populated, Yang said. She said that Xin Jiang Province, has many relations with Pakistan and India, and had once wanted its independence from China. By supporting the U.S. in the war against terrorism, the Chinese government will have an excuse to continue its rule over the province, she said.
Tan said it is alright to fight terrorism, but it is not alright to include the whole world and focus on one country.
“Killing bin Laden will not solve the problem if terrorism is the main target,” H. said. “We should be patient and use our brains to fight them all.”
“This is a call for U.S. intelligence, not military,” Cho said.