Iraq Press Roundup

The daily Al Sabah newspaper said in its editorial Monday that the term "terrorism" has become the source of international attention.

The editorial, with the title "Terrorism and interests," said terrorism contradicts its concepts and interpretation as groups and alliances have their own definition and interpretation of terrorism.

"Each alliance and group has its own justification to practice or challenge terrorism according to their personal interests," the paper said.

It said personal interests are relative and either contrast or intersect with second- or third-party definitions.

It said a group's point of view and position on terrorism contrasts with points of view of another group, turning legitimate deeds for one into illegitimate ones for the other.

"Following international events closely clarifies that the contrasts in terrorism and the people's right to fight occupiers are most noticeable when defining terrorism," it said.

It said that with the current international changes, the need for presenting and discussing the topic is more important than at any time in the past.

It said the terms "terrorism," "international terrorism" and "the state terrorism" are widely depending on the intersection and contrasts among political and strategic interests.

"Legal usage of such expressions are considered the same as the use of principles such as human rights, freedoms, democracy and freedom of expression," the paper said.

It said it is sufficient to say the type of terrorism we are dealing with is "political terrorism," which is political violence used by the individuals, groups or states.

"Gravitation around one specific meaning of terrorism becomes clearer between the powers of colonization and domination on one side, and national freedom from the other, following the position of the Americans, British and Israelis for decades," it said.

The editorial said that the absence of an international agreement on the meaning of "terrorism" is an obstacle in providing an acceptable definition.

Al Sabah newspaper defined terrorism as the use of different violent ways as a means to spread terror in order to force one side to take one position or give up a certain position.

"Features of terrorism differ from those of crimes in ways such as: the former is a mean and not a goal. … The methods used in terrorism is one of violence that creates fear and terror. ... Talks on terrorism reveal only when there is a political problem. … Terrorism is inconsiderate of minorities' rights and disrespects human rights," the paper said.

The paper concluded that what is occurring in Iraq now is that terrorism is destructive to the country and harmful to people no matter what affiliations, sects or ethnicities they belong to.