September 19, 2001
Pakistani president says U.S. targeting of Bin Laden not a threat to Islam
Pakistan’s president, General Pervez Musharraf, told his nation today that he believes President Bush’s decision to apprehend Osama Bin Laden does not target Islam or the people of Afghanistan. Dressed in his military uniform, Musharraf spoke in the Urdu language in a nationally televised speech, and said that the campaign against terrorism should not be considered a threat to Islam. He also warned that Pakistan was facing a serious crisis. Jeremy Scahill has more.
Who is Osama Bin Laden?
The elusiveness of terrorists has forced the Bush administration to rework its strategy in fighting its so-called war on global terrorism. In a meeting yesterday between President Bush and four U.S. senators, Bush was quoted as saying “why send a multi-million dollar missile to bomb a 10 dollar tent that’s empty?”
Rahimullah Yusufzai is a journalist in Pakistan on the border with Afghanistan. He writes for the British News Agency “The News,” a daily, and he scored an interview with the elusive Osama Bin Laden in 1998. We spoke with him today about his impressions of the much sought after terrorist.
U.S. plans to launch military operation if Afghanistan doesn’t turn over Bin Laden
The Pakistani delegation to Afghanistan warned the Taliban that if it did not turn over Osama Bin Laden in short order, it would face a serious military attack by the U.S. The Bush administration has said it will launch a massive and sustained military operation, which would target not only suspected terrorists but also governments who would support them. Matt Martin has this report on the possible dimensions of a U.S. military operation.
French president meets with U.S. president, promises support in war on terror
French President Jacques Chirac is in Washington today, where he met with George Bush and promised France’s support. But not everyone in France supports military action. Sputnik Kilambi reports from Paris.
Judge denies motion to stop Pacifica Foundation from holding telephone board meeting
A California judge has denied a motion by a group of Pacifica Radio listeners for an injunction to stop the Pacifica Foundation from holding a telephone board meeting today. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Ronald Sabraw ruled that he has not seen reasonable probability of irreparable harm to the 52-year-old listener sponsored radio network, which activists say is abandoning its long history of progressive politics and community involvement. Max Pringle reports from Oakland.
