I Believe One Side

AP: Israel, Arabs Back Anti-Terror Code---

BARCELONA, Spain - Europe, Israel and its Arab neighbors endorsed an anti-terrorism code of conduct Monday after a fractious two-day summit, overcoming Arab insistence on language allowing for such violence by those "under foreign occupation."

Also, deep divisions between Israel and Arab states over the Middle East peace process led Britain to drop its "Common Vision" campaign to more directly link EU aid to the Arab world to the region's democratic and economic reforms.

Still, participants praised the anti-terrorism code, which reiterates the "total condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and our determination to eradicate it." It also declares terrorism is a "global challenge" requiring international cooperation to stop.

"The fact that we got the practical agreement on the code of conduct from everybody is a very significant step forward indeed," British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the summit host, told a news conference.

The European Union and Israel struggled to win Arab support for language in the code stating that terrorism can never be justified. Arab delegates had pressed for wording that those living "under foreign occupation" might legally resort to force to gain freedom — a veiled reference to Israeli rule in the West Bank that could also apply to the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

Delegates resolved the dispute by removing a section from the code dealing with the right to self-determination and the fact that "terrorist attacks cannot be justified or legitimized by any cause or grievance."

Does anyone actually think the terrorists will care about any of this? Or that the Arab governments will actually stop helping the terrorists and follow the code of conduct?