References

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Since 9/11, the international community has been traumatized by "al-Qaida" and the "war against terrorism".

Human rights have been set aside in the interests of "national security" and the opportunity has been taken to push through legislation which would have been considered totally unacceptable under other circumstances - notably highly invasive levels of surveillance as with the total information awareness project.

At every stage, any questions have been turned aside by pointing to the threat of "al-Qaida". Requests for harder evidence concerning "al-Qaida" have been resisted with arguments that publicizing such information could further endanger "national security".

At this point it may therefore be legitimately asked whether there is any hard evidence for the existence of "al-Qaida" as the origin of the vast majority of "terrorist threats". The response is liable to be 9/11 itself and the intelligence information on the basis of which numerous suspects have been arrested under anti-terrorist legislation.

Unfortunately, none of this evidence has been successfully tested under due legal process. In fact, those accused of links to "al-Qaida" tend to be confined incommunicado under extra-judicial provisions in places like Guantanamo Bay.

The world is asked to trust in the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, and specifically George Bush and Tony Blair. Unfortunately, it is precisely these two who called for similar trust in relation to their confirmed knowledge of the existence of the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq - having disparaged the ability of the UN inspectors to locate such weapons.

How probable is it that "al-Qaida" is a "plastic turkey"? George Bush established his style for all time by seeking photo opportunities worldwide for his daring under-cover trip to Baghdad airport to share Thanksgiving dinner with his troops. A turkey figured prominently as evidence of his caring and sharing. Not only did the troops get none of it, it was in fact made of plastic - a studio prop to make a political point. As noted by Michael Moore (Turkeys on the Moon): "The fake honey glaze on that bird wasn't much different from the fake honey glaze that covers this war. And the fake stuffing in the fake bird was just the right symbol for our country during these times". (see also Bush's turkey in Iraq images was for show, not for eating; Bush's turkey raises questions, Bush's turkey was only for show, Scandal! Bush's Turkey A Scam!, Stuffed by a plastic turkey) [more]

Given this approach to news management, is it not highly probable that "al-Qaida" is being used in a similar manner? "Facts" as disseminated by the powerful are now "plastic" -- and only for "consumption" by the unwise. Hyperbole has become the conceptual fast food of the 21st century.

It is useful to distinguish the varieties of "al-Qaida" that may have been deliberately confused for the political purposes of George Bush and Tony Blair:

1. As early training camps: it appears to be the case that there have been training camps with which the name of "al-Qaida" has been associated. But training camps for "freedom fighters" and "terrorists" have existed for decades in many countries - some have been funded and staffed by the USA, notably in Central America.
   
   
2. As fund recipients: It appears that Osama bin Laden received funds from the USA in the 1990s as part of the geopolitical struggle in the area of Afghanistan. Such funds may have been channeled into training camps and other activities associated in some way with the term "al-Qaida".
   
   
3. As a movement: It appears that the term "al-Qaida" has been associated with a movement of opinion and ideas - even a set of principles and a strategy - in opposition to certain forces in the Middle East. It is however unclear how precisely this movement of opinion informed an operating group as opposed to standing as an ideal for one or more such groups.
   
   
4. As a network: It appears that a network of individuals, acting secretly, has developed to undertake actions inspired by those of the aforementioned movement of opinion. The name "al-Qaida" has been given to this network by various parties - although it is not clear to what degree the label corresponds to the underlying reality of that network. Indeed that network may well be very loosely connected -- to the point of lacking significant coherence warranting a common label of "al-Qaida". Different parts may have different levels of engagement of respect for guiding principles that may be shared and interpreted in a variety of ways - as with any belief system, including many religions.
   
   
5. As "freedom fighters": Many in the Arab world would no doubt choose to perceive "al-Qaida" as "freedom fighters", perhaps engaged in a holy war. Although "freedom fighters" have been at the origin of many independence movements -- including that of the USA -- exactly what constitutes a "freedom fighter", and how this is distinct from a "terrorist", has not been clearly and unambiguously determined.
   
   
6. As "terrorists": It appears that some groups do make use of arms, explosives and other means to attack people and property - as in the case of the World Trade Center -- with the prime purpose of maximizing terror. However, whilst it is clear that such groups may be inspired by belief in "al-Qaida", it remains unclear to what extent they are actually following a strategy directed and conducted by "al-Qaida". As individuals those involved may indeed have attended training camps associated by others with "al-Qaida". They may indeed have been able to obtain arms and assistance from sympathizers claiming association with "al-Qaida". But it is unclear to what degree it is meaningful to attach the term "al-Qaida" to them.
   
   
7. As surrogates: Given the climate of the times, it is also possible that other groups-unassociated with any of the above-may choose to conduct terrorist acts for their own purposes and claim to be doing so in the name of "al-Qaida" as a convenient cover. This is a common feature of many belief systems and religions.
   
   
8. As "black flag" operations: A particular form of surrogate activity would be the case of if a (rogue) agency of some interested government undertook terrorist acts (or organized others to do so) so as to benefit from the destabilization. It would be only natural for such an agency to ensure that such activity were labeled as the work of "al-Qaida".
   
   
9. As a continuing media story: The diversity of possibilities indicated above does not make for a good news story in comparison with the excitement of a "good guy, bad guy" scenario. Impatient media could quickly be tempted to label any violent act as the work of "terrorists" - assuming readily that all such terrorists were operating within an "al-Qaida" network". Increasing the media is free to make such judgments prior to any trial or evaluation of such evidence. The word "allegedly" no longer precedes such associations.
   
   
10. As a premature legal judgement: Given the manner in which due process has been usurped by anti-terrorist measures, even the highest legal authorities are drawn into attaching the label "al-Qaida" to those detained under suspicion of terrorist activity or intent -- as a means of justifying their actions. Even the UK Home Secretary has been criticized for contempt of court in passing judgment prematurely regarding "al-Qaida" suspects in anticipation of the due process for which he is responsible [more].
    
    
11. As a video communicator: The most obvious manifestation of "al-Qaida" - as distinct from horrendous destruction of undetermined origin - is that of the succession of videotapes purported made by Osama bin Laden as the leader of "al-Qaida". Many questions have been asked regarding the authenticity of such tapes, whose contents could be readily faked by a variety of interested parties. Whether or not they derive from Osama bin Laden, the question remains as to what connection they have with the coherent strategy of a coherent network that can be meaningfully labeled "al-Qaida".

"Plastic Turkey": All the above suggest the possibility that whilst there may be a variety of beliefs, initi

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