The world changed forever on September 11, 2001, when Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked civilian airliners and flew them into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. This was a pivotal event in history because it affects the way we live, the way we relax and the way we do business in our global village. It triggered a global war without boundaries and without regard for the lives of innocent civilians.
The enemy of the al-Qaeda terrorists is anybody who does not subscribe to their extreme interpretation of the Islamic faith. Afghanistan is the home of the Taliban, a ruthless fundamentalist Islamic regime who ruled the country for five years until September 9/11. They continue to harbour repugnant Al-Qaeda terrorists.
September 9/11 revealed that al-Qaeda terrorist cells are embedded in most Western societies including Australia. They are also networked with other terror organisations such as Jemaah Islamiah who specifically target innocent Australians in Bali.
Only one country has the resources and the will to lead the war against the terrorist regime in Afghanistan, the United States of America. All other Western nations who wish to provide safe haven for their people have a choice of either supporting America’s cause or trying to appease one of history’s most repugnant regimes.
The United States strategy of denying a safe haven for al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan and preventing the Taliban from taking control of the government is sound. This strategy must remain in place until the fledgling Afghan army is developed sufficiently to assume effective control of the war against the Taliban. At this stage it would be irresponsible to predict when this might happen. In the meantime we must maintain our resolve to support the United States for as long as it takes.
We must also acknowledge the professional commitment of our young servicemen and women to the cause. I have just returned from a trek across Kokoda with a young Australian Corporal who has completed two tours of duty in East Timor and two tours in Afghanistan. He is a member of our elite Special Forces groups and is just 24 years of age. He joined the trek with his father, a former head of Australia’s Special Forces, and his older brother. We were privileged to share the experience with one of today’s unsung heroes – a confident young Australian who goes quietly about his work in a way that reassures those around him that he is equal to any task in a hostile environment.
He and his mates in the Services will not let us down. We must ensure that we will not tire of the war on terror and will support our allies and our servicemen and women until the terrorists have been defeated or contained.
