VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 17, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Roberto Tucci's advice to Western leaders is that justice is necessary in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States, but responses must not increase hatred.
Cardinal Tucci, who over the past two decades has organized the Pope's international trips, told Vatican Radio today: "I think the great danger now is to fail to articulate clearly defined objectives, and to feel the temptation to strike, even entire populations, simply because Muslim fundamentalists are among them."
"I think it is right that the United States, together with the other Western nations, be concerned especially with safety and with ascertaining who were the intellectual authors of these criminal operations, so that they can be captured," added the 80-year-old cardinal, who is president of Vatican Radio's Coordination Committee.
He warned the West, however, against starting a witch hunt.
"It is necessary to maintain serenity in order to make decisions," he said, "so that no foothold is given in Muslim countries to the cultivation of Western minorities who are more willing than previously to enter the ranks of these criminal activities."
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
17. september 2001