Terrorism
Sir: Charles Glass (Diary, 16 April) leaps to certain conclusions about my views on many issues. He might have asked me what I think. Contrary to his assertions, I have invariably and publicly condemned terror- ism carried out by Contras and by Israeli groups, and indeed consistently denounce all organisations and regimes which use the method of terrorism – including Sandinis- tas and the PLO – no matter what their political ends are. Next, if he actually read what I have written about the massacre at Shatila, he would discover that I place direct and indirect responsibility with the Lebanese Forces and the Israelis respec- tively. If that is a whitewash, whom does he hold responsible? Finally, he has by chance hit upon my true opinion that the US was not carrying out an act of terrorism with the bombing of Libya, and I would explain why to Mr Glass if he could bring himself to ask me personally, directly, and straightforwardly. But no . . . I can see that my real views, if he reported them accurately to your readers, would not serve his purposes. Only his prejudices do.
Jillian Becker
Director, Institute for the Study of Terrorism, 65 Blandford Street, London W1
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