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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: BunnySlippers
Sorry! But I see your question asked over and over again by Freepers,
who seem to think the Times and, I suppose, the Guardian,
are the only newspapers in England that are not tabloids.

When I am in England I read the Telegraph first,
and if I have the time, glance through the Times,
which still is a decent paper, but unlike the Telegraph,
usually has a fair amount of useless drivel.

41 posted on 09/26/2001 12:29:26 AM PDT by Nogbad
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To: Travis McGee
# 17 a good analysis..

My guess is that this will be a completely different kind of "assault" that we will undertake from the carpet bombing expectations awaited by most Arabs and Americans....no brass band!

42 posted on 09/26/2001 12:30:32 AM PDT by rmvh
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To: BunnySlippers
http://gwis2.circ.gwu.edu/~gprice/speech.htm

Go to that link for transcript.

43 posted on 09/26/2001 12:30:54 AM PDT by My Favorite Headache
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To: MadIvan
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.

I thought he said the Jews did it.

44 posted on 09/26/2001 12:32:02 AM PDT by Straight Vermonter
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To: Straight Vermonter
The awful thing about being a liar is that you can't remember the last lie you told.
45 posted on 09/26/2001 12:35:40 AM PDT by pubmom
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To: piasa
Just imagine if Gore had managed to steal a few more votes. Would this instill confidence in dealing with the current situation?

If you want to see what you get with the red pill, try my website. While you are there check out the few other images I made. :)

46 posted on 09/26/2001 12:36:20 AM PDT by JameRetief
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To: JameRetief
Post the red one, please?
47 posted on 09/26/2001 12:39:19 AM PDT by pubmom
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To: Travis McGee
"A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." - Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

To arms, to arms, the terrorists are coming!

America's Militia wants YOU!

We must be ever vigilant in protecting our inalienable rights as enumerated in the Constitution and BOR.

Congress has provided (Article I - Section. 8, U.S. Constitution) the Militia with a means to arm themselves: CMP (Civilian Markmenship Program).

Luke 22:36 (KJV) --Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Got sword? (M1 Garand ==>CMP)

No mercy, no quarter!
May the jihadists burn in hell for eternity!
Help speed them on their way!

Bible quotes in favor of annihilating jihadists
Poll: bin Laden's skull can be best used as an ....

Molon Labe!

48 posted on 09/26/2001 12:44:42 AM PDT by TERMINATTOR
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To: Travis McGee
Good analysis Travis, but I do think that there are lots of Afghans who are getting somewhat tired of their Wahhabi "guest," and this may yet work in our favor.

It is important not to make him into another Robin Hood, though, and unsuccessful attempts to hunt him will inevitably do that. Any actions must not be telegraphed. There was little he could have done to direct these attacks from where he was staying.

49 posted on 09/26/2001 12:46:33 AM PDT by AGAviator
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To: AGAviator
I think that Osama's evasion plan will not be dependant on his Afghan hosts. He has given this a LOT of thought....
50 posted on 09/26/2001 12:49:50 AM PDT by Travis McGee
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To: dougherty
martin sheen is protesting the re-launching of the USS Cole!! what an @$$HOLE!!!
51 posted on 09/26/2001 12:52:22 AM PDT by rockfish59
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To: quimby
keep hitting that cattle prod, maggie!!!!
52 posted on 09/26/2001 12:53:07 AM PDT by rockfish59
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To: My Favorite Headache
Thank you, hon.
53 posted on 09/26/2001 12:55:07 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: pubmom
Red one coming up:

Enjoy.

54 posted on 09/26/2001 12:59:01 AM PDT by JameRetief
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To: pubmom
Take the red pill:


55 posted on 09/26/2001 1:02:36 AM PDT by quimby
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Comment #56 Removed by Moderator

To: East Bay Patriot
Get some lithium, dude. you and drudge. What pissed me off about drudge is that he put up the headline not a hour after he talked to Bill Gertz. drudge tried the same crap on gertz. Bill told drudge, "Revenge is a dish, best severed cold."

We will act when our leaders decide to. Read the article.

57 posted on 09/26/2001 1:18:53 AM PDT by quimby
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To: Travis McGee
What do you think we will do with Saddam Hussein. Seems to me that we have to show the leaders of such countries as Syria, Iran, Egypt, Yemen, etc. that we are willing to invade and defeat countries that provide sanctuary for terrorists. Otherwise, if we are not willing to do this, these countries will continue to provide safe harbor to the terrorists, which is what really enables the terrorists to operate successfully.

In this regard, the terrorists are quite similar to the Viet Cong, who were able to successfully utilize Cambodia as a sanctuary because they knew we were unwilling to mount a full scale invasion of Cambodia. So, if we are going to stop the terrorist operations in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, etc., we are going to have to convince them that we are willing to invade their countries if they don't shut down their terrorist operations. And the only way we can convince them that we are serious about this threat is to actually follow through on the threat.

In this regard, I don't think it is going to be enough to do it just against the Taliban. We are going to have invade and successfully defeat one other country. Obviously, my candidate for this object lesson is Iraq. I think there are a number of goods reasons for picking Iraq. First, if we invade Iraq and successfully defeat Hussein, we will be taking out a major supporter of worldwide terrorism. Second, if we defeat Hussein, we will literally be splitting the Middle East in two, which should make it much harder for the terrorists and their client states to co-ordinate their activities. Third, if we invade Iraq, we will then be able to exercise significant pressure on both Syria and Iran to cease their support of the terrorists they are respectively harboring in their countires. Lastly, and most importantly, if we invade Iraq and kill Hussein, we will be directly demonstrating to every leader of every country in the world that if they harbor terrorists they should be prepared to be invaded and crushed by the United States.

58 posted on 09/26/2001 1:21:04 AM PDT by vbmoneyspender
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To: vbmoneyspender
I would add yet another reason why we need to take out Iraq, perhaps the most important. This war is ultimately about whether WMD are used against the US and its European allies. If that day comes, five'll get you ten, Saddam is responsible. He must be eliminated now.
59 posted on 09/26/2001 1:26:22 AM PDT by Clinton's a rapist
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To: East Bay Patriot
Much as I would like to nuke Afghanistan and Iraq right away, Bush is doing the right thing by getting his ducks in a row first and controlling the pace at which this develops. We need to get our internal security situation sorted out and, if the terrorists do have any followups -- poison gas, etc. -- it's better they happen beforehand, to stiffen our resolve, rather than after things crank up. I doubt the national will is going to fade that quickly, anyway, although it will be painful to have to listen to the peaceniks and whiners crawling out of the woodwork during the buildup. It took months to build up for Desert Storm, with vastly less at stake for Americans -- yet the public was full bore behind it once the shooting started. I expect this to play out in similar fashion.
60 posted on 09/26/2001 1:36:59 AM PDT by Clinton's a rapist
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