Charles Clarke - Your views on fighting terrorism

From: Charles Clarke Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 5:57 PM Subject: Your views on fighting terrorism I am emailing you today to find out your views on the action the Government is proposing to take to challenge the new terrorist threats that face all of us. Since the London bombings of 7 July, we all know that the UK faces a terrorist threat of a different level of seriousness and complexity from anything Britain has faced before. We are confronting extremists whose aims are to kill and maim as many people as possible, to strike at the heart of our society and destroy what we stand for.

These terrorists are part of complex international organisations that make ever greater use of new technology such as encrypted computers. Further attacks remain a real possibility, so action to protect our citizens is urgent. The Government has introduced the Terrorism Bill, currently going through Parliament, to try and ensure that the police and intelligence services have the powers they need to stay ahead of the new breed of terrorist. Yet some are opposing the Government's proposals, which come on the advice of specialist anti-terrorist police. Facing up to the challenges of the new terrorist threat is so important; we want to have your views as soon as possible. Please go the Labour website to register your views. Click here to go there now. Best wishes Charles Clarke Home Secretary

In Reply to Charles Clarke Email- Your views on fighting terrorism By Martin Deane

Dear Charles, The website questions on terrorism are incredibly simplistic don't you think? I was going to forward your letter to my local list - but then I read them. For example, of course people are going to want to answer that our laws should be up to date! But what a non question. What exactly does that mean? There are good laws and bad laws. Hard cases make bad law. Outrage makes worse.

Of course we want our police to do complete investigations, but what about some evidence, eg a study, that shows police need 3 months with someone incarcerated rather than, what is it now, 2 months? The police have a (rightly) hard job - and a poor record - when it comes to sorting out terrorists. What about that much vaunted ricin plot. Where is the public inquiry into July 7th? Don't we all have a right to know exactly why our services failed so abysmally despite higher terrorism warnings prior.

More safeguards to protect the innocent? Yes please, but make sure these are the sorts of safeguards that would protect the civil rights of men like the so-called terrorist Guildford 4 or Birmingham 6 (by the way who did carry out those atrocities please?); safeguards that ensure our government and police are free from the shame and ignominy of executing innocent men running for the Tube.

Meanwhile 82% of Iraq has polled against occupation troops - in a secret Ministry of Defence poll (which Ive helped pay for). In case the MOD don't let you see it, it goes like this -

Forty-five per cent of Iraqis believe attacks against British and American troops are justified - rising to 65 per cent in the British-controlled Maysan province; 82 per cent are "strongly opposed" to the presence of coalition troops; less than one per cent of the population believes coalition forces are responsible for any improvement in security; 67 per cent of Iraqis feel less secure because of the occupation; 43 per cent of Iraqis believe conditions for peace and stability have worsened; 72 per cent do not have confidence in the multi-national forces. Let's take great care with what we call terror and what we call law. Regards, Martin

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