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Recently, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Rais Yatim suggested that Malaysia referred the US to the ICJ for the death of innocent people in Afghanistan.

On 1 November, 2001, Syed Hamid said: "There is no necessity to follow up on this issue. In this case, we are not the country involved and we'll leave it at that. It's also not for us to decide on behalf of other countries."

But, as a member of the UN, we can rally other members to put a stop to the killing of the innocent and the use of cluster bombs. Just as we condemn the killing of over 5,000 innocent people on September 11, we don't agree with the harming of people who have not perpetrated the terrorism.

THE CULPRIT

The US may blame the Taliban Government for harbouring the suspected culprit, Osama bin Laden, and his network Al Qaeda. Catching Osama is the objective. But, sacrificing others is unacceptable.

In the past month, the American-led Alliance has attacked Afghanistan with missiles, cluster bombs and special troops. These bomb clusters are
destructive. After they are dropped from the bombers, they explode in wid area destroying everything in their way. Then, Those that don't explode are buried in the earth like landmines that will kill or maim unsuspected people any time.

After over two decades of war, Afghanistan is full of landmines. Cluster
bombs are adding to the horror. The Alliance can act against the culprits. But, it has no humanitarian reason no kill and maim people who have done no wrong.

Where is the suspect Osama bin Laden? Is he still in Afghanistan? Is he
hiding in a cave?

The September 11 terrorism, the attacks on Afghanistan and the anthrax scare prompt the US to take actions. With her resources, she may be able to go on tracking terrorists for a long time. Will she go on attacking the innocent?

We hope that the Malaysian Government tries its utmost through the UN ton stop the US harming Afghan civilians and using more cluster bombs. Let the Alliance find the culprits some other ways and charge them in court.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw