Bombers must die say Brits

THE British public want NO mercy for al-Qaeda suicide bombers or their terrorist leaders.

And they demand bombers be shot on sight...and their scheming bosses be taken out too.

An exclusive News of the World ICM poll—the most extensive since the atrocity in Madrid a fortnight ago— shows Britons are standing firm in the face of terror.

Two-thirds (66 per cent) support the government's policy to take an active part in the war against al-Qaeda. Just a quarter are against the fight.

And an overwhelming 73 per cent want to see a shoot-to-kill policy against suicide bombers.

That commitment extends to a wider crackdown, with a strong belief that the shadowy terrorist leaders who plan the campaigns from afar should be taken out.

After the Israeli government's decision to assassinate Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a substantial proportion— 47 per cent—support such attacks.

The hard-line approach is strongest among 18 to 24-year-olds. Almost two-thirds want to see the leaders assassinated.

Support

And more than four out of five polled want to see extremists such as Abu Hamza, the cleric who preaches hate on the streets of north London, expelled.

The current high level of alert in Britain has also galvanised support for compulsory ID cards.

More than two-thirds (67 per cent) believe they would help protect Britain against attack.

However, there is anger at the government's decision to free the four Britons held in Guantanamo Bay—55 per cent think the British government were wrong.

But the public also recognise that diplomacy is a vital part of the war on terror.

A clear majority, 53 per cent, think PM Tony Blair was right to meet Libya's Colonel Gaddafi.

Britons are also defiant in the face of warnings that a major terrorist attack here is now inevitable.

A narrow majority, 51 per cent, are more concerned for their safety after the 9/11 and Madrid attacks.

But there are fears over London—38 per cent say they'd be deterred from using the Tube.

ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,011 adults aged 18-plus on March 24-26, 2004.

Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.


We're right to demand tough stand

By Andrew Garfield, European Director of Terrorism Research Centre & Director of the International Centre for Security Analysis
IT IS no surprise the British public believe the government must take a firm line against terrorism.

In the wake of the Madrid bombings, today's poll shows opinions here differ widely from those in Spain.

The British have rarely shown any sympathy for those killed while engaged in terrorist activity and there has always been broad support, over three decades, for robust anti-terrorist legislation.

This new survey suggests that public support for the government's active role in the war against terrorism remains firm.

A significant majority also believe enhanced security measures are needed in order to secure freedom from the scourge of terrorism.

This will come as a relief to Home Secretary David Blunkett as he prepares new legislation to counter the threat posed by groups like al-Qaeda.

Warning

It is certainly understand-able, in the wake of the Madrid bombings, that a majority of the public would consider it acceptable to assassinate terrorist leaders.

While the government has criticised Israel for killing the Hamas leader, few will have shed a tear for the death of a man who ordered numerous terrorist atrocities that killed countless innocent Israelis.

Given that the support and co-operation of the public is vital in this war, and that a key aim of the terrorists is to divide and conquer, this survey should serve as a warning to the government.

It must make every effort to convince doubters that its strategy is necessary, proportionate and effective.

The majority of those polled (60 per cent) are not being intimidated into changing their daily routine.

The spirit of the Blitz is clearly alive and well in modern Britain.