Washington's logic is clear: terrorism is an act of war and should bet related as such. Obviously, the US considers retaliation a virtue. it is pity it does not confer the same status on consistency ... It was only three months ago that the US adminsitration criticised Home Minsiter L.K. Advani for speaking for a "proactive" policy against terrorism in Kashmir and possible "hot pursuit" into Pakistani territory. At the time, an American spokesman warned India against "cross-border pursuit of militant forces" and "foolishly and dangerous increasingly tensions with its neighbours". Like in so many other spheres of international relations, America belives in one set of rules for itself and another for the rest of the world ... Terrorism is a worldwide problem. To allow every aggrieved country to become a vigilant it is propound the diplomatic equivalent of the chaoas theory. Instant justice may have been a way of life in the Wild West a century and a half ago; it certainly cannot be cornerstone of a contemporary strategic doctrine ... A collective endeavour will have other benefits. The global network of terrorist agencies cannot be thwarted by piecemeal action ...