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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Win Smith who wrote (42653)	9/8/2002 8:54:29 PM
From: Eashoa' M'sheekha	Respond to of 281500

>>The morsels have only begun to spew. << YUP! But they can " sell " this deadline approach Win.No problemo This was first considered by the UK some time back, and I figure T.B. " asked " W. to go this route to get popular support back home, as well as a " selling " point in the US. Congress should have no problem with it as the " nothing to hide - nothing to fear " approach. This approach looks fair to me. KC

To: Win Smith who wrote (42653)	9/8/2002 9:56:59 PM
From: Karen Lawrence	Respond to of 281500

Kabul braces for rumored attacks (USA Today)"There has been no evidence linking the explosion last week to the Taliban or Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network. But both organizations have circulated leaflets threatening attacks" By Tom Squitieri, USA TODAY KABUL, Afghanistan — Helicopters patrolled the skies over Kabul Sunday, and Afghan and international forces filled the streets as the city braced for possible terrorist attacks timed to disrupt three days of memorial observances. By Ahmad Masood, Reuters Kabul residents were still shaken from a car bombing Thursday in a crowded downtown market area that killed 26 and wounded at least 150. Since that explosion, rumors have risen of other bombs and threats to disrupt memorial observances that begin today. The bomb attack was followed a few hours later by an assassination attempt on Afghan President Hamid Karzai while he was attending a wedding in the southern city of Kandahar. Karzai was not injured, but the governor of the province was injured. U.S. special operations troops who were guarding the Afghan leader killed the assailant. More violence erupted Sunday in eastern Afghanistan. Five people were seriously injured when a grenade exploded in a shop in the eastern city of Khost. And pro-government Afghan soldiers and troops loyal to a renegade warlord resumed fighting. U.S. Army spokeswoman 1st. Lt. Tina Kroske said the grenade blast critically injured three people. Two people were in serious condition. It was unclear who threw the grenade. Wire reports indicated as many as 15 people were killed in the separate fighting among Afghan factions. Today is the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Northern Alliance commander Ahmad Shah Massood. The suicide attack that killed the leader of the forces that opposed the former Taliban regime is now seen as part of the terrorist plan that included the Sept. 11 attacks in the USA. In preparation for the memorials, streets in Kabul were closed. Military patrols were visible throughout the capital. Afghan and United Nations soldiers increased the number of vehicle checkpoints. Embassies had bomb squads and sniffer dogs sweep their buildings. Cars and trucks were banned from parking and stopping in front of government buildings, embassies, hotels and restaurants. The U.S. Embassy issued warnings to remind "Americans of the threat and the limited ability of the Afghan authorities to ensure safety." A memorial ceremony planned for Sept. 11 at the Embassy has been scaled back. The facility will be in a lockdown stage for most of the week. Last week, U.N. officials warned of attacks from al-Qaeda and the Taliban, which were driven out of Kabul last year. The warning came in the run-up to the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The United Nations International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said it was working to prevent further incidents in the capital. "We have a series of procedures to implement to reduce the likelihood of this type of attack occurring again," said Commander Simon Ryan, a spokesman for the U.N. force. "It is important to realize that without closing down and disrupting the everyday lives of the citizens of Kabul, it is not possible to prevent every terrorist attack." There has been no evidence linking the explosion last week to the Taliban or Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network. But both organizations have circulated leaflets threatening attacks. The U.N. force of 4,716, which is deployed only in Kabul, is on "medium" alert and has no plans to upgrade to the next level, spokesman Maj. James Kelly said. The alert level is the same as it was in the weeks leading up to the June meeting of the Afghan grand council, which chose the current transitional government. Local authorities also are increasing their vigilance. Kabul police chief Bashir Salangi told reporters that 350 extra soldiers have been deployed in patrols and at new checkpoints. The new violence Sunday came when militiamen loyal to warlord Padshah Khan, also known as Bacha Khan, attacked a checkpoint controlled by Gov. Hakim Taniwal in the eastern city of Khost, said Interior Ministry spokesman Alishah Paktiawal. The governor is allied with the Afghan president. Khan's gunmen, who have allied themselves with U.S. troops in past military operations, have sought to assert control over Paktia province in defiance of Karzai's administration. Khan claims Karzai appointed the governor there illegally. Karzai left the country Sunday to travel to New York. "The purpose of the trip is to express his condolences to the American people. He will visit the World Trade Center site," presidential spokesman Sayed Fazel Akbar said before Karzai left Kabul. He also is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly and meet with President Bush.