[Opinion] Bin Laden the Ghost

A photo of some 750 all naked Australian women was introduced throughout the world by the press and media a few days ago. Some papers even put on the front page the color photo of naked women lying on the grass with various poses. It should have provoked criticism or controversy over obscenity, but it never happened. The women in the picture were just resorting to the most eye-catching way to deliver their anti-war message to the world. They made a shape of heart and the two words `NO WAR` using their bodies and successfully sent the anti-war message to the whole world.

▷With the U.S. putting spurs to war preparations against Iraq, the anti-war sentiment in the world is heating up. Anti-war protests were held simultaneously in various cities throughout the world on February 15. The British press now reports that more than 500,000 people will rally in London to stage the largest-scale protest ever as they celebrate the end of the World War II. The national-level anti-war campaigns are as intense as grassroots campaigns. France is forming a broad anti-war coalition with Germany, Russia and China, putting great pressure on Americans. If the chasm between Americans and the rest of the world continues to deepen, U.S. attack on Iraq might lead to a change in international alliance landscape.

▷The tape message from Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden released on February 11 has fueled the anti-sentiment worldwide, especially in the Muslim World. Bin Laden appeared in voice through Arab satellite broadcaster Al Jazeera and urged Muslims to fight American war against Iraq. His message, which came as the Islamic festival Mecca Pilgrimage almost ended, is expected to have a great influence on the almost entire Muslim population supporting Iraq. The U.S. is now on alert against the tape message, what they see as a sign of `growing terrorist alliance.`

▷Washington staked $25 million rewards for Bin Laden`s head as it began bombing Afghanistan in 2001, only to fail to catch him. Bin Laden, nowhere to be found since then, has appeared on Al Jazeera at every critical moment, making Washington look like a fool. The jittering Americans has then changed its tactic and is setting up an Arab broadcaster to keep Al Jazeera serving as a spokesman for Bin Laden in check. Then, Al Jazeera now says it will launch English programs. It seems like a war with a ghost for Americans. While Americans are eager to get rid of the ghost, the chasm between pro-war and anti-war camps, between the enemy and the allies and even between the allies is increasingly deepening.

Bang Hyung-nam, Editorial Writer, hnbhang@donga.com