TRUTH

ELEFTHERIOS KOSTANScollectionNONVIOLENT RESPONSETO TERRORISMCommunication, negotiation, and compassion were key themes in apanel discussion titled “Nonviolent Response to Terrorism” onSept. 11. On the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on theWorld Trade Center and the Pentagon, the event attracted so manystudents, faculty members, and local residents to Kohlberg Hall’sScheuer Room that many sat on the floor, propped themselvesagainst walls, or squeezed into the doorways.The event featured Tom Hastings, director of peace and nonviolentstudies at the University of Portland; George Lakey (above),Eugene M. Lang Visiting Professor for Issues of Social Change andCOLLEGE MARKSfounder and executive director of Training for Change; and LynneSteuerle Schofield ’99, whose mother, Norma Lang Steuerle, was apassenger on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. She and herfamily have since founded the organization Our Voices Together,aiming to build a safer, more compassionate world.Hastings reminded the audience that the event also marked thecentennial of Mohandas Gandhi’s first nonviolent opposition toBritish colonial rule. He emphasized the U.S. position in the worldas one of tremendous power that should be used carefully. “Withmore than 800 military bases in more than 140 countries, we haveenormous responsibility,” he said. Asserting that the war in Iraq isresulting in only pain and suffering for Iraqi citizens, he stressedthe need for communication and negotiation and criticized theBush administration for refusing to negotiate with terrorists. “Weshould always negotiate with terrorists,” he said, suggesting the useof the term “negotiating opponents” rather than “terrorists.“Most terrorism is used by leaders against their own people. Wehave to include leaders when we talk about terrorism,” he said,explaining that radical behavior will diminish if the reasons for itare removed. Also included in Hastings’ approach to nonviolentconflict resolution were the use of “smart sanctions,” massive relieffor poor nations to bring about changes in societal norms and values,cultural and economic exchanges, and peace and nonviolenceeducation everywhere.”Lakey challenged the perception that “we are people doing ourrighteous thing, and then we get attacked for no reason.” If, as U.S.popular opinion suggests, Osama Bin Laden hates freedom, whydoes he then not attack countries like Sweden or Canada, he asked.Some of the behaviors of the United States—displaying “thearrogance of power” by acting unilaterally—are highly dangerous.The country could be safer without sacrificing its values, Lakey said,stressing the need to forge links with other powers—even thoseintent on harming us. Actions such as signing the 1997 KyotoAgreement on Climate Change and joining the International Crimi-NEGOTIATIONANDCOLLABORATIONNOTISOLATION“Pragmatism works so muchbetter than righteousness,”says George Lakey, Eugene M.Lang Visiting Professor forIssues of Social Change.Following are six ideas thathe says “are consistent withdeeply held values in the UnitedStates—including pragmatism!”Ironically, they mayappear, currently, to be out-ofthe-boxthinking—a consequenceof America’s politicalisolation. “Only when we breakout of our bubble of illusions,”Lakey says, “will we stop invitingattacks representing, sadly,a rising ground-swell of worldopinion.”1 Don’t do occupations. Theevidence is clear. Military controlof one nation by another isthe primary stimulus of terroristcampaigns.2. Increase collaboration ofpolice forces to catch terrorists.Military-style responses to terrorismare like brain surgerywith a hatchet. Police work is amore precise instrument,although it requires morecollaboration, which leads tosteps 3 and 4.3. Strengthen the infrastructureof the global community asrapidly as possible to supportdiplomatic efforts on all levels.Adopt the Kyoto Treaty, InternationalCriminal Court, LandmineTreaty, Conventions onthe Rights of the Child. Strengthenthe United Nations. Usethe resulting infrastructure toaddress the danger posed byfailed states.8 : swarthmore college bulletin