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VIEWS: Kenya attacks: terrorists have yet to be defeated

As America began its Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, the world was plunged into a new terrorist alert. At least 11 people were killed when a car loaded with explosives was rammed into a hotel in Kenya. The Mombasa Paradise Hotel was a popular destination for Israeli tourists. Two missiles were also fired at an Israeli airliner as it took off from Mombasa’s airport.

The finger of blame was quickly pointed at Al Qaeda, the terrorist group led by Osama bin Laden, which was held responsible for the September 11th attacks on America and which has been linked with subsequent attacks on a number of “soft” targets around the world, including the bombing of a busy tourist district in Bali, Indonesia.

John Sawe, Kenya’s ambassador to Israel, said he was in “no doubt” that Al Qaeda was behind the Kenyan attacks. Israeli officials took the same view. If it is the work of Mr bin Laden’s outfit, then it would be the first time Al Qaeda had deliberately targeted Israelis. Earlier this month, in a tape recording which American officials believed to be genuine, Mr bin Laden gave warning of further attacks to come.

The attack at the Israeli-owned hotel happened when a white car forced its way through the gates and crashed into the hotel reception area, according to one eye-witness. A number of children were among the people confirmed killed. At least 80 people were injured. Within a few minutes of the attack, two missiles were fired at a jet belonging to Arkia, an Israeli charter airline, as it took off with 261 passengers. Both the missiles missed. The aircraft continued its journey to Tel Aviv.

The proximity and timing of the attacks suggested detailed co-ordination by those responsible. A senior Israeli official said that “it looks like another orchestrated attack”. Multiple attacks are a trademark of Al Qaeda. The organisation is believed to be responsible for a number of terrorist attacks in Africa. America blames the organisation for two truck-bombs which exploded at its embassies in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, and the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam, in 1998. These killed 224 people and injured thousands.

With Thanksgiving approaching, security officials have been especially wary. It is the busiest travel period in America. Terrorist alerts were issued in the Philippines, where Australia, Canada and the European Union closed their diplomatic missions. Alexander Downer, Australia’s foreign minister, said his government had received information about a planned attack by Islamic extremists; nearly half of the 180 or so people killed in the October 12th bombing in Bali were Australians. That attack has been blamed on Jemaah Islamiyah, a militant group that operates in South-East Asia and has links with Al Qaeda. Indonesian police have arrested 15 people in connection with the bombing.

By targeting a tourist airline and hotel, the bombers in Kenya will make holidaymakers even more nervous, even when travelling to areas not known for militancy. The attacks will also serve, as one Israeli official said, as yet another wake-up call that the terrorists who hate countries like America and Israel are far from being defeated. —Economist

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