Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific

MEMORANDUM

10ENHANCING EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE FACTORSDRIVING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
A working definition of terrorism
Political differences among the members of the international community have to-dateprevented agreement on a common definition of terrorism. This memorandum is premised ona suggested working definition of terrorism as “organised violence employed against civilians
for a political purpose”. Terrorism can be perpetrated by persons who belong to any ethnic,
religious or ideological group.
International terrorism is terrorism mounted by an entity with a capacity to undertake attacks
in more than one country, and with transnational elements in terms of goals, membership orsupport. This memorandum addresses international terrorism personified in the al-Qaeda
network and terrorist groups that are linked to or inspired by that network, such as theJemaah Islamiyah.

The dominant factors driving international terrorism
The factors underlying international terrorism are subject to as much contention as thedefinition of terrorism. Politicisation of issues relating to terrorism aggravates efforts to clarify
and understand better the driving forces behind international terrorism, hinders efforts to deal
effectively with terrorism at the operational level, weakens international cooperation, and often
plays into the hands of terrorists.
The phenomenon of global terror is best understood as an ideological struggle. There isgeneral agreement that terrorism feeds upon a complex mix of factors that can vary in
different environments depending upon the peculiar historical, political, economic, social andsecurity conditions. International terrorism also has a degree of domestic moorings where
local terrorist groups link themselves to the al-Qaeda. The al-Qaeda has also demonstrated atendency to exploit any emerging issue in order to serve its cause.
The following are the primary driving factors that are often cited for international terrorism andthe support for it, although the driving factors are sometimes contested:
1.

The desire to expel foreign military forces from “holy” Saudi Arabian soil.

2.

Hostility to some of the policies of the United States and its allies in the Middle East andin other parts of the world. Perceived US support for what are considered “oppressive”
regimes in the Middle East, perceived US support for Israel in the Palestine-Israel

Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-PacificMemorandum 10 – Enhancing efforts to address the factors driving
international terrorism

1conflict and the invasion and occupation of Iraq have emerged as the most prominentissues exploited by the al-Qaeda.
3.

Exploitation, manipulation and distortion of Islamic teachings to provide a religious
dimension to the al-Qaeda terrorist agenda and to secure recruits and support in theArab and Muslim world. The al-Qaeda has distorted Islamic teachings to spread hatred,
intolerance and violence including against innocent civilians.

4.

Exploitation of political, economic and social grievances against governments, which insome instances have led to the growth of separatist movements. These grievances may
include perceived political oppression and marginalisation; perceived suppression andabuse of human rights; and poverty and wide income gaps.

5.

The exploitation and distortion of Islamic teachings in some madrassahs to incite hatredagainst “un-Islamic” Muslim governments and the West and to preach violent andmilitant struggle against them.

6.

Perceived excesses and alleged human rights abuses in the “war against terror”,
including alleged over-reliance upon “hard measures” involving the use of the military
instrument and alleged abuse of prisoners.

7.

“Operational” failures and shortcomings in the implementation of the campaign againstinternational terrorism, including inadequate political resolve in some countries,
insufficient resources and intelligence failures.

Recommendations
CSCAP would like to register the following points and offer the following recommendations inthis regard:
1.

International terrorism as personified in the al Qaeda is a serious threat that must becondemned unequivocally and confronted without reservation or double standards by allnations acting both individually and in cooperation with others in regional organisations
such as ASEAN, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia Pacific EconomicCooperation.

2.

There should be greater political will for engagement in strong multilateral cooperation.
The United Nations should be vested with a key role for countering terrorism at theinternational level.

3.

The campaign against international terrorism entails both short-term political-military
measures as well as long-term political-economic-social solutions. It must be asustained effort aimed at accomplishing enduring results. There should be no let orcomplacency.

4.

The campaign must be a comprehensive one, employing all relevant instruments andeffective measures. These should be both preventive and remedial in nature, andencompass efforts in the political, socio-economic and security spheres. Ultimately, theterrorists must be defeated in the ideological struggle. Governments and civil society
both have an obligation to engage in this contest of ideas.

5.

Addressing and neutralising the factors that drive terrorism is a vital and indispensable
component of sound counter-terrorism strategy. It is central to “winning the hearts andminds” of the people whom the terrorists seek to cultivate. It is not a concession orcapitulation to terrorist demands, and it must be prevented from being perceived orexploited as such.

6.

In order to counter the exploitation and misrepresentation of Islam by al-Qaeda and its
allies, the Muslim community and Muslim nations have a special responsibility to fulfil inprotecting Islam. Islam forbids the killing of innocent civilians. To this end the Muslim

Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific
Memorandum 10 – Enhancing efforts to address the factors driving
international terrorism

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world must implement all measures possible, including in educational institutions, todiscredit and remedy the distortion of the teachings of Islam to promote the terrorist
agenda.
7.

Good governance in the political, economic and social spheres will help sustain anenvironment that is impervious to exploitation by terrorist groups. The welfare, rights anddignity of all peoples must be respected and promoted, and their legitimate local
grievances must be comprehensively addressed to end poverty, injustices and suffering.

8.

The major powers should scrutinise their policies in the Middle East and in other parts of
the world and adjust them where necessary and where beneficial to prevent extensive
alienation and hostility that can be exploited by terrorist groups. An early and justsolution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict, as well as an early resolution to the situation inIraq without destabilising the country, will go a long way towards denying terrorists major
issues to exploit.

9.

International law and national sovereignty should be fully respected. Human rights
should be fully observed by all nations in the implementation of counter-terrorism
strategy and programmes, especially with respect to the conduct of law enforcement
and military operations. While the use of force may be necessary, disproportionate useof force should be avoided.

10.

Every effort should be made by all nations individually and in cooperation with others toenhance their capabilities to prevent, detect, interdict and disable the terrorist
infrastructure and support base.

24th CSCAP Steering Committee Meeting
Jakarta, Indonesia
5 December 2005

Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific
Memorandum 10 – Enhancing efforts to address the factors driving
international terrorism3