An editorial comment which appeared in The Observer in Sri Lanka of 21st March, 1996 appended below: WILL CLINTON RESPOND TO CALL? It has been reported that several hundred Sri Lankans held peaceful demonstrations in the Capitals of the World requesting the support of foreign governments to combat terrorism in Sri Lanka. The most vociferous met opposite the White House carrying placards jogging the memory of the American people that President Clinton had condemned the LTTE. The thrust of the campaign was to call for follow up action. What is significant is that when Tel Aviv was subjected to a few bombs and a lone suicide bomber accounted for a dozen or so of bystanders in a busy street, the US did not hesitate to pledge its support to quell the terrorist acts allegedly committed by the HAMAS group. In fact, a hurriedly summoned 'Summit' met in Cairo to map out a strategy to stall the break up of peace between Israel and Palestine. Israel and Palestine are symbolic of the more deep-rooted frictions, factions and turmoil that are so commonly associated with the historical parting of the ways between two houses that descended from Abraham. The situation in Sri Lanka of course is not directly associated with big business, whether American, British or French. So, the rather cool and cold response for the appeal to take follow up action and not mere condemnation can well be understood. But what is at stake and is now threatened is not merely confined to the territorial boundaries of Sri Lanka. The spread of terrorism specially that brand of terrorism perpetrated by suicide bombers appears to have caught on. It is imperative that the U.S. and other countries that are the centers of main production and international trade take heed of the warning signals that are apparent. The threat to the system is not confined to Sri Lanka. There are signs that the very fabric of the international community and the world, now better known as the global village is being threatened. What the demonstrators underline is that denunciation alone is not going to bring the rebels to the negotiating table. More deterrent action is needed. It is in this light that one views the latest news that the American House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly approving a resolution that the U.S. should help Taiwan from attack by China. The Pentagon claims that two carrier groups have already been despatched to contain the situation. What Sri Lankans who value peace and agitate for a negotiated solution especially among those now in domicile in foreign countries continuously ask for is collective action to stop drug trading and other questionable money raising activities of the LTTE. Will hard pressed Clinton respond to the call?