Originally posted by Atticus
Hi J
Fine, It could indeed be the case that Saddam was linked to terrorism. I would be interested in seeing proof of that before accepting it as fact.
Saddam bankrolled suicide bombers in Israel:
http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/218085.htm
Iraq supported several terrorist groups in the past. For example, Baghdad has harbored the May 15 Organization -- a Palestinian group known for bombing airplanes -- and gave sanctuary to the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) -- infamous for the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro and the murder of Leon Klinghoffer. Iraq helped form the Abu Nidal Organization (ANO), using it to assassinate Syrian and Palestinian opponents. Most of Iraq's support to these groups has consisted of logistical support, such as bases, training and supplies. Nevertheless, the scale of its backing of terrorist groups was dwarfed by others like Iran, which tried to create large popular insurgencies from whole cloth.
Iraq has provided more extensive support to the anti-Tehran Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) and the anti-Turkey Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) as means of exerting pressure on their northern and eastern neighbors. In both cases, Iraq has helped these groups establish a safe haven in Iraq itself where they could base their guerrilla wars and plan terrorist attacks. Ties to the MEK are particularly close, and it has in essence become a wholly owned proxy of Baghdad for use against Iran.
Iraq has worked with Christians and Islamic fundamentalists, with Persians and Kurds, with fellow Ba'thists and pure killers -- as long as they have suited the regime's interests.
http://www.globalpolicy.org/wtc/targets/2003/0303iraq.htm
Also, I always thought of Saddam Hussein as a hideously oppressive dictator but not a terrorists, which starts to raise some interesting issues.
He was that as well, but also DEFINITELY a terrorist supporter.
You mention that this is a war against all terrorists. What actually is a terrorist?
There is also a saying that one mans terrorist is anothers freedom fighter. With such a broad definition
A freedom fighter doesn't set out with murder as their goal to achieve their agenda.
How do you define the difference? Who makes that decision? Are terrorists people who fight against any state or simply who disagree with US foreigh policy?
I believe it's very clear. If you purposely kill innocent civilians as your goal to meet an agenda, you are a terrorist.
Were the Iraqi's who fought against Saddam Hussein terrorists or freedom fighters? Was Saddam Hussein a terrorist or freedom fighter when he fought against the previous regime with CIA backing.
Fighting against someone to achieve freedom is a far cry from using terror tactics to promote an agenda.
Its pretty important that in every case we are clear about the difference between the bad guys and the good guys before you crack out the guns, dont you think?
Yes, and in this instance it was crystal clear, Saddam was a terrorist within his own country and supported terrorist organizations and harbored terrorists.
Gosh if you were'nt clear about who the primary terrorist targets were you might even invade the wrong country. Now there's a thought.
It's a good thing we were clear and invaded the proper country then!
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