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Politics : America Under Siege: The End of Innocence -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: hdl who wrote (4811)	9/22/2001 1:08:05 PM
From: Tadsamillionaire	Respond to of 27730

Saturday, 22 September, 2001, 16:40 GMT 17:40 UK Bush holds council of war US operational plans remain under wraps President George W Bush has been consulting his top military advisers as US forces mass in the Gulf and Indian Ocean for a possible strike on Afghanistan. US defence officials say more warplanes are being sent to bases or aircraft-carriers near Afghanistan, adding to the estimated 350 planes already in the region. The BBC's World Affairs Editor John Simpson, who has slipped into Afghanistan, says the Taleban have been fortifying hill posts in expectation of a land attack. We are still the greatest nation on the face of the earth, and no terrorist will ever be able to decide our fate President Bush, radio address to nation But as thousands of Afghans flee their homes the scene is one of emptiness and desolation, our correspondent says. A US diplomatic offensive is in full swing to galvanise international support for an operation against Osama Bin Laden, the Saudi-born militant named as the chief suspect in the 11 September suicide attacks on the United States. In other developments: Two men are arrested in Belgium by police investigating attacks on US targets Turkey opens its airspace to US transport aircraft involved in any military action and offers to train Afghan opposition fighters 13 British warships pass through Suez Canal, heading for military manoeuvres in Oman Work at the World Trade Center could go on for six months Security is tightened in the US and UK amid fears of further attacks Stars from the world of entertainment take part in a two-hour television show to raise money for the victims of the attacks New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani says it could take at least six months to clear the wreckage of the World Trade Center attack. Number of missing: 6,333. President Bush tells Americans the economy remains "fundamentally strong" The Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers discuss the Afghan situation, in what is seen as a new attempt to patch up strained relations President Bush is at his Camp David retreat and has discussed the crisis with his National Security Council via a video conference. Over the weekend he is likely to sign an executive order identifying which groups are to be defined as terrorist and freezing their assets in the US. US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said Washington will "act in concert with the rest of the civilised world" to hold to account all those supporting or harbouring terrorists. Washington received the strong support of European Union leaders on Friday, who agreed that targeted US retaliation for the attacks would be "legitimate". The United Arab Emirates said on Saturday it had cut diplomatic ties with the Taleban, after failing to persuade them to hand over Bin Laden. Only two countries - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia - still recognise the Taleban. Pakistan said it had no plans to follow the example of the UAE. Aircraft 'shot down' The Taleban, who are sheltering Bin Laden and his supporters, say they have shot down an unmanned spy plane over northern Afghanistan. But it is not yet clear to whom the aircraft belonged. One Taleban official said it was a helicopter belonging to opposition forces. Despite reports of heavy fighting in the north, the BBC's Jacky Rowland, in territory held by the opposition Northern Alliance near Tajikistan, says she has seen only sporadic shooting. More desperate Afghans are heading for Pakistan The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is accelerating, with the United Nations food agency, the World Food Programme, coming under pressure to resume imports of food aid. US diplomats are reported to have strongly urged the WFP to resume the operation, which was suspended 10 days ago for security reasons. A BBC correspondent in Islamabad says the WFP has now agreed to work with aid agencies to transport wheat from its stockpiles inside Afghanistan. More than three million Afghans are thought to be at risk from famine. Aid workers say it is vital to distribute food before any possible military action and the onset of winter. The United Nations and the Pakistani authorities are considering opening new refugee camps in the country's semi-autonomous tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan. WATCH/LISTEN ON THIS STORY The BBC's World Affairs Editor John Simpson "We've seen a number of greatly strengthened Taleban positions" The BBC's David Cass "Momentum is gathering" The BBC's Tom Carver in Virginia "It is unclear how useful all the advance military technology will be" Key stories Latest report Afghan food crisis Pope visits crisis zone Stars' charity telethon Correspondent reports Reporting under cover Test of US resolve With Taleban's foes New York despatches Baseball honours dead Tough times for tourism Background Osama Bin Laden Who are the Taleban? Q & A: Airport security Economic impact Global stocks slide Airline insurance help Global recession fears CLICKABLE GUIDES The military picture America's day of terror TALKING POINT Refugee crisis: What should the world do? FORUM Oxfam quizzed on the refugee crisis AUDIO VIDEO Coverage on demand See also: 22 Sep 01 \| Middle East UAE cuts ties with Taleban 21 Sep 01 \| UK Q & A: Airport security 20 Sep 01 \| Europe EU gears up to fight terrorism 17 Sep 01 \| Europe EU weighs response to US strikes 19 Sep 01 \| Europe EU acts on terrorism 18 Sep 01 \| Asia-Pacific China demands US attack evidence 16 Sep 01 \| Americas US prepares for war Internet links: EU The White House Council of the European Union The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Americas stories now: World pressure isolates Taleban Stars in global charity telethon Congress backs $15bn aid for airlines UK arrests over US terror attacks Northwest Airlines cuts 10,000 jobs FBI probes hijackers' identities Islamic 'plotters' held in France Analysis: Bush rises to the occasion Links to more Americas stories are at the foot of the page.