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War will begin within days (LET'S ROLL)
The Daily Telegraph ^ | September 26, 2001 | By George Jones and Anton La Guardia

Posted on 09/25/2001 11:47:14 PM PDT by MadIvan

TONY BLAIR cleared the way yesterday for military strikes against Afghanistan within days by declaring that the Taliban would become an enemy in the battle against terrorism unless they handed over Osama bin Laden.

Standing in the Downing Street garden, he said that America and its allies had the power to do "very considerable damage" to the Taliban. "Military conflict there will be unless the Taliban change and respond to the ultimatum given to them," said Mr Blair.

As diplomats said that military action was likely to begin "within a week", Downing Street announced that Parliament would be recalled for one day on Thursday of next week. Political leaders had already indicated that MPs should be brought back only after action had started.

Mr Blair's ultimatum, delivered 24 hours after he briefed Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative leader, and senior parliamentarians, was seen as preparing British and international opinion for hostilities.

The Taliban were further isolated yesterday when Saudi Arabia severed all relations with the regime. Last night, a Saudi official said that Afghan diplomats had been given 48 hours to leave the country.

This leaves only Pakistan maintaining diplomatic links with Kabul since the United Arab Emirates cut ties at the weekend. President Bush, whom Mr Blair visited last week and vowed to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with in the fight against terrorism, praised the Saudis' "wise step".

Only President Musharraf of Pakistan, the traditional backer of the Taliban, said that his country would maintain contact because "at least there should be one country who ought to be able to have an access to them".

In a message to the American people, the Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, stepped up his defiance. He said the attacks on New York and Washington were to avenge US "cruelty" towards Muslim countries.

"The American people must know that the sad events that took place recently were the result of their government's wrong policies. Your government is perpetrating all sorts of atrocities in Muslim countries. Instead of supporting your government's policies you should urge your government to reconsider their wrong and cruel policies."

He added, without claiming to know who was responsible: "The recent sad event in America was the result of these cruel policies and was meant to avenge this cruelty."

Mr Blair said the Taliban knew what it had to do. If it stood in the way of bringing bin Laden to account, it would be "every bit our enemy" as bin Laden himself. "Our enemy's friend becomes our enemy too," he said in his strongest warning yet that the Taliban would be toppled unless it agreed to hand over bin Laden.

He described the Taliban as a regime "founded on fear and funded largely by drugs and crime" where poverty and illness were endemic and women's rights "non-existent".

Mr Blair emphasised the unity of the coalition lined up against Afghanistan. He said military action would be directed at the Taliban and not at the ordinary people of Afghanistan and promised that Britain would help efforts to deliver food to Afghan refugees to avert a winter crisis.

The Prime Minister called his unscheduled press conference after a day of non-stop diplomacy aimed at securing international and domestic political backing for military action. The most significant breakthrough came late on Monday with President Putin's announcement that Russia would share intelligence with the West and help the opposition Northern Alliance in northern Afghanistan.

In a historic address to the Bundestag in Berlin, Mr Putin yesterday sought to capitalise on his gesture by calling on the West to welcome Russia back to the diplomatic top table.

Mr Blair did not state when the ultimatum to the Taliban would run out nor does the Government expect a positive response. But it was meant to increase the pressure on the regime and provide justification for America and Britain to take military action.

"We have the power to do very considerable damage to the Taliban regime, and any action we take will be directed towards the regime, and not the ordinary people of Afghanistan," he said.

As the world lined up behind the coalition, Abdul Sattar, Pakistan's foreign minister, warned against governments giving military aid to the Taliban's Northern Alliance opponents. He said: "We must not make the blunder of trying to foist a government on the people of Afghanistan."

His comments were seen as reflecting concern in Pakistan that Iran, an old enemy of the Taliban, might, after yesterday's visit by Jack Straw, have a greater say in the future of Islamabad's old client state.

Recognising the delicacy of Gen Musharraf's position, Mr Bush did not call on Pakistan to follow Saudi Arabia's lead and instructed his officials to moderate previous talk about overthrowing the Taliban.

The president said he wanted to "make sure that Pakistan is a stable country and that whatever consequences may occur as a result of actions we may or may not take, is one that we do the best we can to manage".

He called on Afghan citizens disenchanted with Taliban rule to help the US pursue bin Laden but added that he was not interested in "nation-building" or supplanting regimes. "We're focused on justice and we're going to get justice. It's going to take a while probably but I'm a patient man. Nothing will diminish my will and my determination."

The Prime Minister attempted to calm concerns that terrorists might be planning biological or chemical weapons attacks on Britain after the head of the World Health Organisation warned governments to prepare for possible attacks. He said there was no specific threat and it was important not to be "alarmist" about such possibilities.

Labour confirmed that its annual conference in Brighton next week would be cut short, finishing on Wednesday to enable MPs to return to Westminster. Mr Duncan Smith reaffirmed his "full backing" for the Government's support for America's efforts to bring the perpetrators of the World Trade Centre and Pentagon atrocities to justice. "They were attacks we simply cannot allow to go unpunished," he said.


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To: MadIvan
We're ready. The SAS, the Ghurkas, MI6, the RAF, Royal Navy and British Army are ready. In the words of a great American hero and patriot, "Let's Roll".

I've heard about these guys before, but don't know the full story on them....they're from Nepal, and they have the really lethal knives, right? I've heard they are very fierce warriors....

121 posted on 09/26/2001 7:28:47 AM PDT by Nate505
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To: MadIvan
Thanks for the post, and for your valiant support.

When I read this---

"The American people must know that the sad events that took place recently were the result of their government's wrong policies. Your government is perpetrating all sorts of atrocities in Muslim countries. Instead of supporting your government's policies you should urge your government to reconsider their wrong and cruel policies."

---I couldn't help but wonder at the fact that the leader of the Taliban, Muslims throughout the US, and certain stupid members of the left in our country are all reading from the same talking points.

We have a big job to do all over the globe, to be sure that the lying propaganda of the extremist Islamicists is countered and defeated at every turn. Fortunately, at this point, they aren't getting much traction. May it continue to be so...

Never forget.

122 posted on 09/26/2001 7:29:52 AM PDT by EternalVigilance
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To: Walkin Man,sneaky pete
Pete, you are right about Americans being the most aggressive people on earth. A very wise man who knew humans once told me that an 18 year old male american was good for two things,fighting and another starting with an 'f' which I would be banned for saying. All that testesterone and the genetic pool of the people who settled this wild country.
123 posted on 09/26/2001 7:30:37 AM PDT by cajungirl
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To: RoarNLion
I am convinced the devastation of WTC was coordinated within our own government..

Got proof of this?

124 posted on 09/26/2001 7:30:45 AM PDT by mafree
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To: Travis McGee
I don't think the SAS, Delta or even the Green Berets are a "Brass Band", although I get the point. Sending in infantry would seem to be the equivalent, which would be ineffective.
125 posted on 09/26/2001 7:35:36 AM PDT by Republic of Texas
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To: Nogbad
Your newspaper tips are noted, thanks.
126 posted on 09/26/2001 7:37:38 AM PDT by Republic of Texas
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To: RoarNLion
I had not thought at all of the oil pipeline angle. But it is obvious that at least some of the Powers That Be are hoping that the atrocities will allow them to gut the Bill of Rights once and for all. And not just here : Did you see the legislation the EU approved? Antiterrorism measures that would have the Gestapo breathless with envy : Saying you're going to commit a terrorists act (words, not deeds) gets you a prison sentence. Attacking government officials and buildings gets enhanced sentencing. Basically, civil disobedience and protesting can be classified as terrorism under the new legislation.

This thread (page 2,4) has the details on the EU's legislation

But what concerns me at this point are the globalists-the antifreedom, antisovereignty crowd-here and abroad, who are trying to use the atrocities to empower the UN, get the ICC finalized, and force the US to ratify Kyoto and relinquish NMD, as the price for keeping the coalition intact. Some of Schroeder's and Chirac's remarks have been especially worrisome.

127 posted on 09/26/2001 7:39:41 AM PDT by kaylar
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To: SamAdams76
Sayeret Duvdevan (Unit 217) is reported to do just that on behalf of Israel in the "occupied" territories. The "Phoenix" program in SEA reportedly utilized operators who dressed as VC, carried Soviet/Chinese weapons, and generally appeared to be locals in all senses. A worldwide covert program comparable to that perpetrated by the Israelis following Munich is needed, but so are evident strikes at bases, depots, and other targets of opportunity. Saddam Hussein should be scared.
128 posted on 09/26/2001 7:41:36 AM PDT by astounded
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To: mafree
" I am convinced the devastation of WTC was coordinated within our own government.."

Got proof of this?

'Zactly. This either needs proof, ASAP, or the person who wrote it (RoarLion) is forever tarred with a tin foil, build a burger alert.

129 posted on 09/26/2001 7:46:24 AM PDT by Republic of Texas
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To: JameRetief
Excellent. Red Pill...Let's Roll
130 posted on 09/26/2001 8:14:54 AM PDT by Reagan's_Mom
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To: MadIvan
Although the "war" has not begun as far as the American and international press are concerned, it has begun in fact. American and British Special-Ops are already in Afghanistan, just as they were in Iraq before the start of the Gulf War. I feel certain of this not because I have inside information about this war, but because I have paid attention to the history of the last war.

Special-Ops were dug in and observing the Basra Highway in Iraq, the only ground link between Iraq and Kuwait, at least a week prior to the start of the attack. I know this first because of the definitive book, The Gulf War by my colleague, Thomas Houlahan, but also because a friend of mine was one of the American troops watching the Basra Highway, and reporting back by "burst" transmissions.

The visible fighting will therefore begin within days. That makes it all the more important that President Bush correct immediately the only mistake he has made since 11 September, the failure to ask Congress for an official declaration of war.

The first link below discusses this. The second discusses the law of war in much more detail, including the only time (1806) that the US declared war without naming a nation as the enemy. (Any who are interested in a copy of The Gulf War, please e-mail me.)

The (More er Less) Honorable Billybob,
cyberCongressman from Western Carolina

Click here for Billybob's latest, "The Engineering (and Law) of War." The next will be, "Bush is DEAD Wrong.

Click here and go to "ALCU Watch" for a detailed legal discussion of how the US declares war, both historically and in this instance.

131 posted on 09/26/2001 8:15:17 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob
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To: Travis McGee
Yes, I would think that is exactly what we are doing. Snake-eaters homing in on everyone even remotely cracking a grin over this.
132 posted on 09/26/2001 8:16:26 AM PDT by piasa
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To: MadIvan
"The American people must know that the sad events that took place recently were the result of their government's wrong policies. Your government is perpetrating all sorts of atrocities in Muslim countries. Instead of supporting your government's policies you should urge your government to reconsider their wrong and cruel policies."

Can someone tell me what he is talking about? This kind of thing is being heard from some of America's leftist intellectuals, and I often hear them describe America's foreign policy in this part of the world as "Imperialistic". Since I'm fairly ignorant of America's maneuvers in this part of the world over the past 20 years, can someone please explain to me what it is these people are talking about? They never seem to want to be very specific, and I am confident that any military strikes or what have you perpetrated by the US had a very good, sound reason behind it. Can any of you knowledgable people explain this for me, and give me the full story on what it is they are talking about??
133 posted on 09/26/2001 8:19:58 AM PDT by What about Bob?
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To: hopefulpilgrim
Regarding a "to whom it may concern" declaration of war that does not name a nation as the enemy, we did that once before in our history, against the Barbary pirates in 1806. Click the first link below for a discussion of the fact that we HAVE NOT YET DECLARED WAR, we have "Clintoned-out." Click the second link for a full history of the declaration of war by the US.

The (More er Less) Honorable Billybob,
cyberCongressman from Western Carolina

Click here for Billybob's latest, "Bush is DEAD Wrong.

Click here and go to "ALCU Watch" for a detailed legal discussion of how the US declares war, both historically and in this instance.

134 posted on 09/26/2001 8:25:57 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob
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To: mafree, Republic of Texas
Where is your proof that a foreign terrorist group did TWC? Or do you believe they did just because the TV talking heads told you so?
135 posted on 09/26/2001 9:33:55 AM PDT by RoarNLion
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To: Travis McGee
I agree with your analysis. We should not "personalize" this war into a rat-hunt for Bin Laden. That would be the same mistake we made in Somalia, which did not go unnoticed. But I believe the Bush team has no intention of making that mistake again. You don't put five (counting the British) carrier task forces in place to chase Binny around the mountains. You put that force in place in turn out the lights in Afghanistan, disconnect the phones and Internet, take out the bases and camps, and destroy any ability of the Taliban or Binny to support future ops. You also start Binny running down the paths the end of which will be his death or capture, perhaps years from now. President Bush made our war aims clear - this is not a police action to arrest and indict Binny, this is a sustained campaign to destroy the enemy's ablility to mount ops against the US or the other civilized countries. If a few rag-tag infantry want to hide in the Hindu Kush, fine. Let the Masood boys have them for their revenge. Patience. The operations have begun. Special ops is gathering intel and is moving into place. The British, Kitty Hawk and Theodore Roosevelt task forces are close, but are not yet in place. You will see the hounds of hell unleashed in the next few days.
136 posted on 09/26/2001 9:46:52 AM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: Travis McGee
Do remember, we have learned quite a bit since the days of horses and bugles.
137 posted on 09/26/2001 9:48:35 AM PDT by El Sordo
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To: MadIvan
Together...forward!
138 posted on 09/26/2001 9:51:06 AM PDT by A Navy Vet
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To: RoarNLion
Where is your proof that a foreign terrorist group did TWC? Or do you believe they did just because the TV talking heads told you so?

Well for starters, go to any article describing what happened on Flight 93. Those brave passegers weren't fighting American skinheads. If you can trace the hijackers' orders or funding to our government go ahead and try. Again, proof please??

Also, nobody on FR needs the mainstream media to tell them what's going on. This is one of the last places where folks automatically buy what Rather, Jennings, Brokaw, CNN, or others put out. You've been on this site longer than I have- you should know better than to even say what you said.

139 posted on 09/26/2001 9:56:26 AM PDT by mafree
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To: Travis McGee
From the bits and pieces we hear from Rumsfeld, et. al. this sounds like the plan. One small problem, winter is coming in a few weeks. Apparently winter in Afghanistan is harsh--at higher elevations compared with Siberia.

Do you think there is a lot of covert activity in the country right now--operatives on the ground? I'm thinking there is a huge effort inside the borders right now. Otherwise it sounds like nothing will happen there until the spring.

140 posted on 09/26/2001 9:57:15 AM PDT by Calpublican
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