Britain is supportive of the U.S. efforts to combat terrorism, and has a few ideas of its own, said a British Consul General.

Robert Culshaw, British consul general in Chicago, provided a glimpse into foreign opinion on Sept. 11 Thursday night. He described the day’s events as “not a strike on buildings but against values.”

Culshaw’s lecture, “Britain’s Answer to Terror,” was part of the Institute on World Affairs lecture series “What is Terrorism?” Culshaw focused on the aftermath of Sept. 11, the conflict between Arabs and Israelis and the situation in Northern Ireland.

Britain responded to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon by making journeys to the Middle East and by exposing evidence against Osama bin Laden, Culshaw said.

“The terrorist attack was not just on America but on the entire civilized world,” he said.

“We knew we needed to quickly lay out a strategy for justice and deliver a powerful message to the countries in the Middle East,” he said. “We wanted to produce hard evidence, not just accusations, against bin Laden.”

Britain is supportive of all the United States has been doing and wants to stop Afghanistan from being a safe harbor for terrorists, Culshaw said.

“Long before the planes were hijacked, the Taliban hijacked the country of Afghanistan,” he said.

Britain has several ideas for improving the current situation in Afghanistan as well.

“We must win the battle of the hearts and minds of the people who aren’t convinced of the West’s motives,” he said.

Continuous visits and more effective broadcasting are also essential, Culshaw said.

“Broadcasting in the local language is key,” he said. “We must communicate with these people in a situation they feel comfortable in.”

Culshaw said resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict needs progress as well.

“Both sides must stop the killing and restrain their extremists,” he said. “They also need a political process that will lead toward a better future.

“Land for peace must be an essential constant and both sides must remain engaged in the peace process,” he said.

Northern Ireland is another area in need of a peace process, he said.

“The built-up hatred in Northern Ireland has caused a bloody battle and the loss of more than 3,000 lives,” Culshaw said. “Sometimes countries in conflict need an external push from those on the outside who know the situation.”

Progress is already being made, Culshaw said.

“This shows the political process can work even in situations where fear and hatred are very deep rooted, and when it does, the majority of people living there will be very pleased,” he said.

Jim Prouty, senior in psychology, noted concern about Americans lack of international perspective because of geographic isolation.

“I think we need a more in-depth understanding of where we stand with other countries and of the complexities of the new dynamic America is having to face.”