Macedonian Interior Minister fights helps in War on Terror.

May 9, 2004 9:09 AM

Innocent Victims in the War on Terror Macedonian police gunned down seven innocent Pakistani and Indian illegal immigrants, then claimed they were terrorists, in a killing staged to show they were participating in the US-led war on terror. "It was a monstrous fabrication to get the attention of the international community" (via Halfway Down the Danube)
posted by zaelic (15 comments total)

This is how the "War on Terror" becomes political fodder in some of the world. Yes, Macedonia isn't one of the calmest places in the world - I used to live there - but this is bad policy gone insane. Zbigniew Brzezinski said last fall terrorism is a technique for killing people. That doesn't tell us who the enemy is. It's as if we said that World War II was not against the Nazis but against blitzkrieg.
posted by zaelic at 9:18 AM on May 9, 2004

Note should be made of the three innocent Macedonians who were slaughtered in an act of retribution. Does this demonstrate that "We are more terrorist than thou?"
posted by kablam at 9:29 AM on May 9, 2004

Note should be made of the three innocent Macedonians who were slaughtered in an act of retribution. Does this demonstrate that "We are more terrorist than thou?"

No, it demonstrates the typical, irrational though thoroughly human reaction of "Someone do something! Kill people!" when members of their society/country/community are murdered.
posted by crank at 9:53 AM on May 9, 2004

"when members of their society/country/community are murdered."

Sometimes that is the only reaction that makes sense. There have been a number of wars fought because if you don't start kicking ass they are going to continue to slaughter your people.

Be that as it may, I once again wonder why the actions of some moron in a PR grab are supposed to reflect on the "war on terror". So since this guy killed some people he shouldn't have terrorists are now good people and we shouldn't try and stop them any more?
posted by soulhuntre at 12:05 PM on May 9, 2004

Yes the "If the US hadn't started this war this never would've happened" vibe that permeates this post is just gross. We didn't start this war, and we're not responsible for the reprehensible acts of every government on earth. Blaming the US for the actions of others is the most dehumanizing thing you can do to people.
posted by techgnollogic at 12:47 PM on May 9, 2004

Sometimes that is the only reaction that makes sense. There have been a number of wars fought because if you don't start kicking ass they are going to continue to slaughter your people.

I was thinking more along the lines of the moronic "we should nuke Falluja because they killed our mercenaries" type statements that have been flying around the past month.

I wouldn't hesitate to say this reflects poorly upon the 'war in terror' though. From the link:

At the time, Macedonia was trying to gain favour with the US, presenting itself as a potential victim of Islamic terrorists, six months after the 11 September terrorist attacks against the US

Clearly the Macedonian government was looking to show that they were on the 'with us or against us' divide?

on preview techgnollogic: no, the US isn't responsible for every shitty government in the world (certainly not Macedonia)- just the ones we've installed in power or supported during the cold war.
posted by crank at 12:52 PM on May 9, 2004

when terrorists pull off their attacks, they arent starting wars either... thats why they have a unique noun to distinguish them... so if we didnt start a war, and they didnt start a war --- who did?
posted by Satapher at 2:17 PM on May 9, 2004

I did. I take full responsibility, and I'm sorry. Friends?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 2:23 PM on May 9, 2004

Blaming the US for the actions of others is the most dehumanizing thing you can do to people.

No, it's just highspirited fratboy hijinks.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 3:28 PM on May 9, 2004

No, it demonstrates the typical, irrational though thoroughly human reaction of "Someone do something! Kill people!" when members of their society/country/community are murdered

"Someone do something!" is perfectly rational. "Kill people!" not so much. At least in the generic sense.
posted by jonmc at 4:42 PM on May 9, 2004

Oh, but it's a simple syllogism. We have to do something, this is something, therefore we have to do this.

I told you it was simple.
posted by effugas at 4:49 PM on May 9, 2004

Blaming the US for the actions of others is the most dehumanizing thing you can do to people.

Actually I heard in Abu Graib, the prisoners were offered the choice between being raped and set upon while naked by dogs, or participating in a blame America session. Obvoiusly, as blaming the US for the actions of others is the most dehumanizing thing you can do to people, they chose the ass-raping.
posted by cell divide at 6:37 PM on May 9, 2004

"when terrorists pull off their attacks, they arent starting wars either..."

I have no problem with saying the US started the war, in the sense that war is what you call it when a state uses force to inflict damage on an enemy.

Waging war on those states that sponsor, harbor and provide resources to terrorists is completely acceptable to me.

Terrorists may not be able to start a "war" on their own in the sense that they are not a state - but they can certainly be the cause of one.
posted by soulhuntre at 7:03 PM on May 9, 2004

Skallas - I actually had that stamped on my entry visa to Singapore a while back. Talk about being dumbfounded. Though, Sing's an exception to the "trying to get on the U.S.'s good side" argument; it's just their modus operandi to take punishments to extremes. I guess it's working for them.

We have to do something, this is something, therefore we have to do this.

Heh.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:39 AM on May 10, 2004

Poor 'are paying for war on terror'
posted by homunculus at 9:57 AM on May 10, 2004