Terrorism demands prevention.

Byline: Jose Campion McCarthy, Todd Huffman and Cynthia Smith For The Register-Guard

As health professionals, our golden rule is to `first do no harm." Through the care we provide and the remedies we employ, we strive to leave patients better off than before they sought our counsel.

Similarly, the doctrine of `first do no harm' should be the basis of America's national security policy - especially when war is the recommended treatment.

Most would agree that we must fight terrorism, that we must keep the world safe from the spread and use of deadly weapons, and that we must exemplify and promote the values of democracy. America's foreign policy doctrine must not only be tough, but also smart, moral and healthy for our country and the world.

Yet there's concern that U.S. security policies and actions - in Iraq, in the development of "usable" nuclear weapons, and in turning away from the security of international cooperation and treaties - may be counterproductive or lead to an escalation of dangers. The April 23 Register-Guard quoted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as saying that Arabs have been driven to a "hatred never equaled" toward America.

We must act from core American values that respect life and resolve adversity without violence. To that end, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization, Physicians for Social Responsibility, has developed a new national security platform, called SMART: Sensible, Multilateral American Response to Terrorism.

The SMART legislation (House Concurrent Resolution 392), now before the U.S. House of Representatives, calls for the prevention of future acts of terrorism, for an end to the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and for our government to address the root causes of terrorism and violent conflict.

The SMART proposal aims to prevent acts of terrorism by working more closely with the international diplomatic, judicial and intelligence communities to root out terrorist networks. It would treat terrorism as the horrific crime it is. It would require adherence to the rule of law, so terrorists would be tried in the International Criminal Court. Civil liberties and human rights would be protected.

It would seek to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, a serious threat requiring aggressive diplomacy. We must demonstrate global leadership by pledging that we will not be the first to use nuclear weapons, nor will we develop, test or use them. We must honor international treaties regarding nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Additionally, it calls for assistance to guard and destroy nuclear stockpiles in the nations of the former Soviet Union.

Finally, the proposal would address the root causes of violent conflict by working internationally to support democratic and sustainable development and to fund humanitarian programs to meet basic needs for water, food, shelter, jobs and health care.

Violence alone will not stop further violence against us. We must decide whether to be the world's cop or the world's carpenter - building trust by building the infrastructure and agricultural supports necessary to keep at-risk societies functioning, self-sufficient and free.

We must shift budget priorities to adequately fund both homeland security and emergency response systems, reduce dependence on oil, promote renewable and sustainable energy, and eliminate obsolete Cold War weapons systems that are now ineffective against terrorism.

We agree with President Bush that "keeping America safe should be our most urgent priority.' We can achieve safety by emphasizing prevention over pre-emption. War should be considered only after all diplomacy has been exhausted. We must support multilateral response systems, fund and teach nonviolent conflict resolution and protect human rights. We must work to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

There's no doubt that we are powerful, but it's the people of the U.S. who make this country strong - with their courage, their cooperation and their faith in the goodness of life. SMART security is the prescription for the disease of war, and the citizens are the leaders who can guide this policy into action.

Jose Campion McCarthy, M.D., Todd Huffman, M.D., and Cynthia Smith, R.N., prepared this column on behalf of Lane County Physicians for Social Responsibility. Ira Shorr, national field director of PSR and a political satirist, will offer a presentation on the SMART proposal at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Room 177 of Lawrence Hall, 1190 Franklin Blvd.