A Voice in the Wilderness?

"But the war on terrorism starts within each of our respective sovereign borders. It will be fought with increased support for democracy programs, judicial reform, conflict resolution, poverty alleviation, economic reform and health and education programs. All of these together deny the reason for terrorists to exist or to find safe havens within those borders."

Secretary of State Colin Powell, Remarks to the UN Security Council. 12 Nov. 2001

As far as I can remember or determine, this is the first indication that our leaders recognize that terrorists have any reason to exist. Moving the war on terror to the causes rather than the effects seems to me to be a move toward sounder tactics. (My hurried version of the same sentiment)