Chomsky Faults U.S. For Sept. 11

The United States' indirect aid of terrorism makes the international community wary, said author and Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Noam Chomsky last night at a Northeastern University forum.

Before a full auditorium of both college students and adults, Chomsky said he was enthusiastic to speak on new world policies developing in a post-Sept. 11 world.

He said many countries are sympathetic to the United States' plight, but they cannot forget America's own indiscretions.

"Other countries condemned the actions, but not without the recollection of their own sufferings," he said. "Central America, Latin America, Panama, Lebanon and Palestine have all had their share of what has been called a 'slow Armageddon.' And I'm quoting here, 'Latin America knows that the United States is the biggest sponsor of terrorism.'"

Looking back to the past, especially the 1980s, is key to understanding why many countries harbor animosity toward the United States, according to Chomsky.

"By far, the most acts of terrorism in that time were either committed by the United States or U.S. backed," he said. "The events of Sept. 11 are not new. What's new is the direction the guns are pointing."

Chomsky distinguished the victims of Sept. 11 from those of other attacks, noting most of the dead were civilians.

"Sept. 11 is a historic event because of the choice of the victims, not the nature of the crime," he said.

Calling attention to violations of international treaties, Chomsky criticized the United States' policies regarding Israel.

"The U.S. remains active in helping terrorism there. The activities of Israel are in direct breach of the Geneva Convention, which addresses war crimes of unusual severity under U.S. law," he said.

Chomsky chastised President Bush's plans for the future, which he said ignore America's role in international conflict. He cited America's support of Saddam Hussein's terrorist tactics and Turkish aggression against the Kurds as examples of this problem.

"The next target in the war on terror is Iraq, according to Bush and his representatives. Saddam Hussein has committed the worst acts and atrocities, even using chemical weapons against his own people. This is all true," he said. "With the exception of three words: with our help."

Chomsky depicted the current state of U.S. affairs in the Middle East as one of preferential treatment.

"The United States acts like a power dealing with two naughty children: Sharon, a 'man of peace' whose temper occasionally gets out of hand, against the evil Palestinians viciously attacking an innocent people," he said.

Bela Cardoso, a Northeastern University senior, said she was disappointed the forum did not address the advertised topic: the fallout of Sept. 11.

"He just said a lot of facts and never really got to the point. It wasn't what I thought it would be," she said.

Michael Liatsis, a Northeastern University junior, agreed with Cardoso.

"It wasn't what I expected. I heard he was in communications and I thought he'd have more to say about personal experiences, but it wasn't really to the subject at all," he said.

Lorna Tseckares, of Winchester, disagreed. Tseckares said she thought Chomsky was a knowledgeable and very effective speaker.

"It was horrifying. If even half of what he said is true, then the U.S. is in big trouble," she said. "All this hatred directed at us is our own doing. It's really scary."