UK: Reid Admits Foreign Policy Is 'Radicalising' Young Muslims To Commit Acts Of Terror

Taken from The Daily Mail, 20.11.06
By JAMES SLACK

John Reid became the first senior Cabinet figure to admit Britian's foreign policy was turning young Muslims to terrorism.

The Home Secretary's remarks end at least three years of denial by the Government that the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan have been a key factor behind the alarming rise in Islamic extremism.

The most stubborn refusal to accept the argument has come from the Prime Minister.

Tony Blair has clung to the fact the September 11 attacks, and increased extremism in the UK, occurred before Britain and the US embarked on the so-called 'war on terror'.

But, in comments seen as an attempt to put distance between himself and the Prime Minister, Mr Reid said it was better to be 'frank about it'.

The remarks are likely to be seen as yet more evidence Mr Reid is planning a tilt at the Labour leadership, as they will be warmly welcomed by many Labour MPs.

Mr Reid said: 'Of course they were not the cause of the problem - that predates Iraq and Afghanistan. It goes far deeper than that.

'But I do believe that foreign policy is sometimes a motivating factor in radicalisation of young Muslims and the potential recruitment to terror. It is better to be frank about it.'

Inayat Bunglawala, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: 'John Reid's candour is welcome.
Aspects of our foreign policy have been a contributory factor in the radicalisation of some Muslim youths, and extremists have been using the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan to recruit young people.

'Everyone in the country has recognised this, except for all the senior ministers of this Government.

It has led to a surreal atmosphere in the country over the past couple of years, with a major disconnection between the Government and the people.

'We hope the Home Secretary's comments now will lead to a re-think in our Government about some of its policies.'

Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell said: 'This is the first public acknowledgement by a senior cabinet minister that Foreign Policy has an influence in the radicalisation of young Muslims.

'Mr Reid’s candour signifies a significant departure from the line that the Prime Minister has adopted. 'It is a measure of Mr Blair’s waning authority that senior colleagues are now carving out their own positions.'

He was speaking in yet another wide-ranging interview which appeared to lay down his credentials to challenge Gordon Brown.

In a comment likely to be interpreted as a jibe at the Chancellor's long-standing quest for power, Mr Reid said: 'To get involved in campaigning would be discourteous to the PM and show contempt for the Labour Party and a terrible degree of complacency for the electorate. I will not do that.'

He repeated his attacks on Tory leader David Cameron, who he accused of having policies which are 'non-existent or self-contradictory or downright wrong'.

Mr Reid also admitted the current 50 per cent breach rate for Asbos was not good enough, and repeated his support for the 90-day detention of terror suspects without charge, He said the case was 'compelling', but would benefit from an evidential base.