Your Move Mr. Brown
By Aaron Goldstein (07/01/07)
Within 72 hours of the commencement of Gordon Brown’s administration, there have three attempted terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom. Police were able to diffuse two car bombs in the heart of London on June 29th. One near a nightclub in Piccadilly Circus and another a short distance away in a parking lot near Trafalgar Square. If these car bombs had detonated hundreds of innocent people could have been killed. On June 30th, two men drove a Jeep Cherokee with flames coming out of it into the terminal of the Glasgow International Airport. They have been arrested and again with great fortune there does not appear to be any fatalities that have resulted.
As of this writing no specific organization has claimed responsibilities for these attacks although it is almost certain to have Islamic fundamentalist connection. The two men arrested in the attack of the Glasgow International Airport have been described as “Asian” which in Britain is usually a reference to its large Pakistani and Indian community. While not all Pakistanis and Indians are Muslim it is highly unlikely these attempted attacks were carried out by angry Methodists.
What is absolutely certain is that a message is being sent to Gordon Brown. These attacks essentially state, “We can strike at any time. We can do what we want and when we want to do it. You were lucky this time but you won’t be next time. There’s nothing you can do to stop us.” Given Tony Blair’s willingness to acquiesce when the Iranians kidnapped the British Royal Navy and Marine personnel they likely believe they can get away with the same under Brown. Under the circumstances, it is imperative that Brown put his foot down and not in his mouth.
It has been speculated that a possible motivation for these attacks is the recent knighthood of The Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie. Never mind that Iqbal Sacranie, former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, received a knighthood in 2005. A significant number of British Muslims want blood and it seems that anyone’s blood will do.
All British institutions are vulnerable especially the monarchy. Given that Queen Elizabeth II knighted Rushdie, the Royal Family might very well find themselves targets of Muslim ire. The British government would be wise to tighten security at the Concert for Diana which takes place at Wembley Stadium on July 1st. The British military could also revisit its decision to send Prince Harry to Afghanistan. He was supposed to serve in Iraq this spring but the BAF reconsidered due to security reasons. Don’t be surprised if they reconsider again. But if they do it would be a terrible mistake. It would demonstrate to those responsible for carrying out these attempted attacks that their tactics work and that government policy can be determined by them. Brown must ensure that Prince Harry serves in Afghanistan despite the dangers and there by sends the message that Prince Harry is doing Britain’s duty to secure Afghani freedom from the clutches of the Taliban.
Needless to say, the British government has raised its security alert to the highest level indicating a terrorist attack is imminent. This would hopefully consist of tightening security at Buckingham Palace and all other palaces, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall (which includes 10 Downing Street) and the Houses of Parliament which overlooks the Thames River. A terrorist attack could be launched from water. I would also add the All England Tennis Club to this list as we are in the midst of the Wimbledon Championships. No doubt Islamic fundamentalists frown upon mixed doubles.
Other tourist attractions such as Hyde Park, Regents Park, Oxford Street, the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral should be carefully watched. I would be remiss to mention that we are week removed from the second anniversary of the July 7th bombings of the London Tube. But as we have seen with the attack on the Glasgow International Airport the danger is not merely confined to London. It is also worth noting that Brown himself is Scottish. One wonders if Brown were Welsh if there would have been an attack on the Cardiff International Airport instead.
Regardless of where Brown was born he now lives at 10 Downing Street. He has been eager to distance himself from the United States given his appointments of David Miliband as Foreign Secretary and former UN Deputy Secretary General Mark Malloch Brown as Minister Responsible for Asia, Africa and the UN. It appears that the British Muslims who are likely responsible for these attacks see Brown as soft and easily intimidated. Brown is entitled to his disagreements with the United States but not at the expense of the security of the British people. It is critical that Brown cement his reputation as someone who does not suffer Islamic fundamentalism in his front yard and his neighborhood gladly. This means cracking down on those who incite, organize and finance these plots instead of appointing those who view Osama bin Laden as a hero to committees who are charged with the responsibility as to how best to combat extremism. Gordon Brown could not wait for Tony Blair to leave 10 Downing Street. Well, Mr. Brown has moved in and I’m sure he likes the trappings very nicely thank you very much. Let’s hope he will make wise use of his time there. It’s your move, sir.
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