Terror attacks hit U.S.

On September 11, 2001 (at 8.45 a.m. New York Time)

By Andrew Sherry, USA TODAY

Two airplanes slammed into New York's World Trade Center and a third hit the Pentagon in Washington in a deadly wave of presumed terrorist attacks that shocked America and brought air traffic nationwide to a halt. A car bomb exploded outside the State Department, which was evacuated along with the White House and the Capitol. Wall Street, the nation's financial hub, was shut down as the twin 110-story towers CKK of the Trade Center toppled after the crash.

President George Bush, breaking off a visit to an elementary school in Florida, called it a "national tragedy." "Terrorism against our nation will not stand," he said, vowing to "hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act."

One of the planes that crashed into the Trade Center was American Airlines Flight 11, hijacked after takeoff from Boston en route to Los Angeles, American Airlines said.

The planes blasted fiery, gaping holes in the upper floors of the twin towers. A witness said he saw bodies falling from the twin towers and people jumping out. About an hour later, the southern tower collapsed with a roar a huge cloud of smoke; the other tower fell about a half-hour after that.

"This is perhaps the most audacious terrorist attack that's ever taken place in the world," said Chris Yates, an aviation expert at Jane's Transport in London told The Associated Press. "It takes a logistics operation from the terror group involved that is second to none. Only a very small handful of terror groups is on that list. ... I would name at the top of the list Osama Bin Laden."

All planes were grounded across the country by the Federal Aviation Administration. All bridges and tunnels into Manhattan were closed down.

The twin disaster at the World Trade Center happened shortly before 9 a.m. and then right around 9 a.m. (8.45 a.m. to be precise).

Heavy black smoke billowed into the sky above the gaping holes in the side of the twin towers, one of New York City's most famous landmarks, and debris rained down upon the street, one of the city's busiest work areas. When the second plane hit, a fireball of flame and smoke erupted, leaving a huge hole in the glass and steel tower.

John Axisa, who was getting off a PATH train to the World Trade Center, told The Associate Press that he saw "bodies falling out" of the building. He said he ran outside, and watched people jump out to their death . . .

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

POPE: SORROW AND CONDEMNATION FOR

 TRAGEDY OF SEPT. 11 IN  U.S. A.

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2001 (Vatican Information Service) - The Pope dedicated today's general audience, celebrated in St. Peter's Square, to yesterday's tragedy in the United States, expressing his very great condemnation and his assurance of spiritual closeness to the families of the dead and the injured.

   Following is a large part of the text read by the Holy Father, which replaced the traditional catechesis of the general audience:

   "I cannot begin this audience without expressing my profound sorrow at the terrorist attacks which yesterday brought death and destruction to America, causing thousands of victims and injuring countless people. To the President of the United States and to all American citizens I express my heartfelt sorrow. In the face of such unspeakable horror we cannot but be deeply disturbed. I add my voice to all the voices raised in these hours to express indignant condemnation, and I strongly reiterate that the ways of violence will never lead to genuine solutions to humanity's problems.

   "Yesterday was a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity. After receiving the news, I followed with intense concern the developing situation, with heartfelt prayers to the Lord. How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty? The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail. Christ's word is the only one that can give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it.

   "With deeply felt sympathy I address myself to the beloved people of the United States in this moment of distress and consternation, when the courage of so many men and women of good will is being sorely tested. . ."

   Before the conclusion of the audience, the Pope and the faithful prayed for the Churches of the East and the West, and, in particular, for the Church in the United States and for heads of state "so order that, not allowing themselves to be dominated by hatred and the spirit of retaliation, they do everything possible to keep weapons of destruction from sowing new hatred and new death and strive to bring light to the darkness of human affairs with works of peace."

 

EXTRA HINTS FROM OTHER’s REACTIONS

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Words fail us at times like this. They can mislead us as well. In the wake of Tuesday's tragedy, I received from CNET, a few copies of a horrific piece of e-mail: a verse attributed to 16th century prophet Nostradamus. The eight lines seem to predict the World Trade Center attack and the subsequent start of World War III. If you've received this e-mail, please don't forward it: it's a malicious hoax. Some of the words do indeed come from Nostradamus (though they've been spliced, diced, and rearranged to form a coherent prediction). But the most worrisome specifics--lines such as "In the city of York there will be a great collapse, two twin brothers torn apart by chaos" and "The third big war will begin when the big city is burning"--are fabricated whole cloth. Shame on those who would spend their energies spreading fear while we're all so vulnerable. Let’s mourn for the dead and then do something for the living –

LET US PRAY . . . GOD BLESS AMERICA, through Christ our Lord – Amen!

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\==================\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

 

Osama bin Laden, is suspected of running terrorist training camps in Afghanistan, where he is believed to be based. (AP Photo)

War Against Terror

Pakistan to Demand Bin Laden; Bush Promises ‘Long, Determined Campaign’

ABCNEWS.com


Sept. 16 — Afghanistan will be told Monday to hand over Osama bin Laden or face massive retaliatory action for harboring the prime suspect in the terror attacks on New York and Washington.



MORE ON THIS STORY

FULL COVERAGE

• America Attacked

VIDEO

• Hijacked Plane Hits First Tower

• Hijacked Plane Hits Second Tower

• Complete Video Coverage of the Attacks

IN DETAIL

• Interactive: Terror Strikes America

COMMUNITY

• What Americans Are Saying

 

• Pakistan to Demand Bin Laden

• Terror Strikes America: Complete Coverage

• Who Is Bin Laden?

At the request of the United States, a delegation of Pakistani officials plans to deliver the ultimatum to the ruling Taliban militia at a meeting in the Afghan city of Kandahar. The Taliban, long supported by Pakistan, has provided a safe haven for bin Laden in recent years.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House this afternoon, President Bush reiterated that bin Laden is "the prime suspect" in last Tuesday's attacks, in which hijacked planes slammed into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, where thousands are feared dead. Another hijacked airliner crashed in Pennsylvania.

"There is no question he is the prime suspect," Bush said. "No question about that."

Bush said he had spoken directly to Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, in an effort to enlist his nation's support in corralling bin Laden, and described the talk as "a very good, open conversation. There is no question he wants to cooperate with the United States."

Still, Bush added that multilateral cooperation would be necessary for the United States' efforts to clamp down on terrorism to be effective: "The prime suspect's organization is in a lot of countries, so this will be a long campaign, a determined campaign … they have roused a mighty giant."

Bush also repeated what has become a familiar pledge of his during the last week, saying the United States "will rid the world of the evildoers." And the president urged his fellow citizens to return to their normal routine on Monday: "Tomorrow the good people of America go back to their shops, their fields, American factories and go back to work. Our nation was horrified but it's not going to be terrorized."

Rumsfield: 'Best Defense an Effective Offense'

The move to pressure the Taliban came as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stressed Washington's commitment to pursuing a prolonged, multifaceted, potentially costly campaign against international terrorists and the countries that support them.

"The best defense is an effective offense," Rumsfeld told a news conference today.

"A terrorist can do any kind of an attack, any place at anytime. It is not physically possible to defend every place at every time," he explained on the ABCNEWS program This Week.

Rumsfeld said U.S. efforts to beat terrorism would take years and said the American public should be prepared for the possibility of casualties from the use of ground troops.

"What this war is about is our way of life, and our way of life is worth losing life for, and the era of antiseptic warfare, planes dropping bombs from 20,000 feet, cruise missiles flying off in the night, no one getting hurt on the United States or the coalition side, that will not work with this enemy, let there be no doubt," he said.

Terror Supporters Face American Wrath

Rumsfeld said the U.S. campaign would include political, diplomatic, economic and military pressures on countries that support or harbor terrorists.

He said that while terrorists may not necessarily present targets that can be readily struck by U.S. forces with cruise missiles, countries that support or tolerate terrorist activities do.

"These people, these terrorists … cannot function except with the tolerance of other countries, real countries, real states, that do have capitals and armies and navies, and do have high-value targets," Rumsfeld said. He added these countries "have to be dealt with as well."

Vice President Dick Cheney issued a similar warning in even stronger language today on NBC's Meet the Press.

"The government of Afghanistan has to understand that we believe they have, indeed, been harboring a man who committed and whose organization committed this most egregious act," he said.

"They have to understand, and others like them around the world have to understand, that if you provided sanctuary to terrorists, you face the full wrath of the United States of America."

Pakistan a Key Participant

Pakistan has closed its border with Afghanistan and cut off the supply of fuel to its neighbor, in accordance with U.S. requests. Pakistan is also sharing its intelligence on bin Laden with the United States, sources told ABCNEWS.

Secretary of State Colin Powell is also believed to have asked for U.S. military access to Pakistani airspace. U.S. officials may have also asked to station troops in Pakistan for attacks on Afghanistan, which would be a tough sell with the Pakistani public, many of whom support the Taliban — and have hard feelings toward the United States.

In a thinly veiled warning to Pakistan, the Taliban's reclusive "supreme leader," the mysterious one-eyed Mullah Mohammed Omar, said Afghans were prepared for war, and would fight any nation aiding a U.S. attack on their nation.

Bin Laden, in a statement broadcast by Qatar's Al-Jazeera satellite channel, denied any involvement.

"I stress that I have not carried out this act, which appears to have been carried out by individuals with their own motivation," said the statement.

In it, bin Laden said he was accustomed to the United States accusing him every time "its many enemies strike at it."

Possible Clue to Attacks

In the United States, ABCNEWS has learned an alleged member of bin Laden's organization al Qaeda was detained last month on immigration charges. He is being held as a material witness.

Authorities were alerted when Habib Zacarias Moussaoui, 33, showed up at a Minnesota flight school last month offering cash for lessons on a Boeing 747 flight simulator.

He reportedly was uninterested in learning takeoffs and landings — only in how to fly the plane in a horizontal position, a desire that rang warning bells at the flight school, which then alerted authorities.

After the tip from the flight school, Moussaoui was taken into custody and it was learned that he had taken flight lessons earlier this year at a school in Norman, Okla. He was picked up on Aug. 17, about three weeks before Tuesday's attacks.

In addition, two men detained in Fort Worth, Texas, have been flown to New York for questioning.

Law enforcement officials say as many as 25 people picked up on immigration violations will be questioned in connection with the attacks. Most are believed to be on a list of more than 100 people the FBI wants to interview, and officials said some have been cooperating.

The FBI made its first arrest on Friday. The suspect, whose identity was not made public, was being held as a material witness in New York after being detained at John F. Kennedy International Airport a day earlier, sources told ABCNEWS.

Amid tightened security, hundreds of U.S. commercial flights were back in the air today, after a three-day shutdown of U.S. airports following the attacks. Major U.S. airlines have been hard hit by the shutdown, with the fifth largest carrier, Continental Airlines, announcing Saturday it was laying off 12,000 staff and may have to file for bankruptcy protection.

At Least One Hijacker Was on Watch List

Also, ABCNEWS has confirmed that the CIA, prior to the attack, had given the FBI and the Immigration and Naturalization Service the names of one of the hijackers and that his name was placed on the INS watch list, as reported in Newsweek.

Khalid Al-Midhar, according to the CIA information, met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with a senior aide to bin Laden and a principal suspect in the attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.

Al-Midhar, a Yemeni national, had already entered the United States when his name was placed on the list on Aug. 24.

But it is Moussaoui's case that is drawing special interest this weekend, and a material witness warrant was issued for him in New York late Saturday.

"The idea of somebody showing up at a professional flight school and saying, 'I just want to learn how to fly the plane horizontally' is absurd in the extreme," said ABCNEWS aviation analyst John Nance. "Nobody would put him in the seat."

Bush: 'The Conflict Will Not Be Easy'

Rumsfeld today said U.S. fighter jets were constantly patrolling the skies across America, and that aircraft on the ground were ready to take flight in short order if needed.

Cheney said today on Meet the Press that immediately after the attacks last Tuesday, Bush ordered U.S. military pilots to shoot down hijacked commercial airliners over Washington if they disobeyed directions to change course.

"The president made the decision … that if the plane would not divert, if they wouldn't pay any attention to instructions to move away from the city, as a last resort, our pilots were authorized to take them out," he said.

U.S. officials have declined to discuss whether that policy remains in effect.

On Saturday, President Bush vowed to hunt down known terrorists in a long, brutal battle against terrorism. He warned the American people about the potential sacrifices involved.

"You will be asked for your patience, for the conflict will not be short," Bush said at a meeting with his top national security advisers at the Camp David presidential retreat. "You will be asked for resolve, because the conflict will not be easy.

"We will not only deal with those who dare attack America, we will deal with those who harbor them and feed them and house them," Bush said.

The president declined to specify what steps the administration might take, but Pentagon sources told ABCNEWS it is considering a wide range of military options, from bombing runs to ground troops. Both houses of Congress have voted to authorize Bush to use "all necessary and appropriate force" against those responsible for the attacks.

Bush activated 35,000 reservists on Saturday as part of Operation Noble Eagle. The operation, however, is a domestic one. Noble Eagle reservists will support the rescue and firefighting efforts in New York and Washington.

Fading Hopes in New York

In New York, where the 24-hour search-and-rescue operation at the site of the World Trade Center continues, more than 5,000 people have been reported missing. According to New York police, 180 are confirmed dead, 115 of which have been identified. Twenty-four firefighters were among those dead.

No one has been pulled out of the rubble alive in days.

At the Pentagon crash site, 188 people are unaccounted for. So far, 83 sets of remains have been removed from the site.

In Pennsylvania, all 45 people aboard United Flight 93 were killed when the hijacked aircraft crashed about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

At religious services around the United States, and the world, today, worshippers remembered and prayed for the persons missing and killed in the attacks.

Pope John Paul II said he was "heartbroken" and called for the Virgin Mary to bring comfort and hope to the victims' families, according to an Associated Press report.

A local choir near Rome sang "Blowin' in the Wind," and someone waved an American flag.

Hijacking Suspects

 

Aboard American Airlines Flight 77, which took off from Washington Dulles Airport for Los Angeles and crashed into the Pentagon.

1.       Alhamzi, Nawaq — Passenger No. 12

2.       Al-Midhar, Khalid — Passenger No. 20, Seat 12B

3.       Alhamzi, Salem — Passenger No. 13, Seat 5F

4.       Moqed, Majed — Passenger No. 19, Seat 12A

  1. Hanjour, Hani

 

Aboard United Airlines Flight 93, which departed Newark, N.J., for San Francisco and crashed outside of Shanksville, Pa.:

1.       Alghamdi, Saeed — Passenger No. 2

2.       Alhaznawi, Ahmed — Passenger No. 3

3.       Alnami, Ahmed — Passenger No. 4

  1. Jarrahi, Ziad — Passenger No. 26

 

Aboard American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center after taking off from Boston's Logan International Airport en route for Los Angeles:

1.       Alshehri, Wail — Passenger No. 1, Seat 2A

2.       Alshehri, Waleed — Passenger No. 2, Seat 2B

3.       Alomari, Abdulaziz — Passenger No. 14, Seat 8G

4.       Al Suqami, Satam — Passenger No. 20, Seat 10B

  1. Atta, Mohamed — Seat 8D

 

Aboard United Airlines Flight 175, which left Boston for Los Angeles but crashed into the South Tower of the Word Trade Center:

1.       Alghamdi, Ahmed — Passenger No. 2

2.       Alghamdi, Hamza — Passenger No. 3

3.       Al-Shehhi, Marwan — Passenger No. 4

4.       Alshehri, Mohald — Passenger No. 5

5.       Ahmed, Fayez — Passenger No.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\++++++++++++++++\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Thursday, September 13, 2001

Nigerian death toll
climbs to 500


NIGERIA: Armed mobs went on the rampage in two Nigerian cities in clashes yesterday between Christians and Muslims and a newspaper reported at least 500 people had died in five days of violence.

Clashes which erupted last Friday in the central city of Jos between gangs of Christian and Muslim youths flared again yesterday after a day of calm, health workers and residents said.

"Renewed fighting broke out this morning in the Nassarawa district" of Jos, the acting secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, Mr Abiodun Orebiyi, said. Dead and wounded people had been taken to hospitals suffering from machete and gunshot wounds, he said, declining to give firm figures.

A Nigerian newspaper, the state-run Daily Times, reported yesterday that more than 500 victims of the violence in Jos had been given a mass burial after dark on Monday.

The bodies were taken to the Zaria Road cemetery in three trucks by heavily-armed soldiers and buried under supervision by government officials. The area was cordoned off to prevent news of the toll emerging and sparking reprisals, the paper said.

Officials yesterday declined to comment on the toll - the highest yet advanced for the violence - although the Red Cross confirmed that a "very large" mass burial had taken place.

Meanwhile, the new fighting in Jos continued yesterday. "It is getting bad now in Jos. The Muslims have regrouped and they are fighting," said a Christian resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"More houses are getting burned. More people are getting killed," said the man who would give his name only as Oliver.

"Things are getting tough. The tension is very high. Soldiers are patrolling and firing in the air to bring the situation under control," a police official said.

At the same time, violence also erupted in the northern city of Kano where hundreds of Muslim youths attacked two churches overnight and set ablaze the house of a Christian man.

The Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Overcomers Sanctuary Pentecostal Church in the Shagari Quarters district of Kano were both attacked overnight, the church leaders reported.

A Catholic catechist, Mr Casmir Ogunma, said the church had been razed and the priest's residence set ablaze by youths angered by the events in Jos. Police had cordoned off the area around the church and would not allow reporters to visit.

Pastor Seyi Oluwasola of the Overcomers Sanctuary said a mob of Muslim youths had attacked his church, destroyed instruments and religious books. "If it were not for the intervention of the police the situation would have been worse," he said.

Mr James Enoch, a Christian, said he was leaving the city. "I can't live here any more. These youths are dangerous. They promised to come back and said when they come back nobody will be spared," he said.
- (AFP)

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Dateline: 14/09/2001 02:35:05  =  THISDAY  NEWS

 

The US Tragedy... Day Three
bin Laden Dares Bush

·  'Kill me and many more Osamas would fight'

·  German bizman puts $10m on his head
By Chidi 'Uzor with agency reports


Osama bin Laden, the main suspect of Tuesday's attack on major US targets, speaking from his base in Afghanistan said that even if the US succeeds in eliminating him, many more "Osamas" would continue whenever he stopped.

"The United States would get nothing out of eliminating one Osama", a Pakistani newspaper quoted him as saying, " as there were several Osamas".

His statement effectively called the bluff of US President George Bush to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Tuesday attacks and the countries that harbour them.

Bin Laden's statement may be a response to the fact that he is the prime suspect in US intelligence and media circles for pulling off the Tuesday attacks.

Yesterday, Secretary of state Colin Powell the first US government official to officially identify bin Laden as the prime suspect in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, said he would press the President of Pakistan for information on the terrorist's operations.

At a news conference, Powell became the first senior Bush Administration official to say for the record that bin Laden is suspected of engineering the attacks. Saying the administration had not yet publicly identified the organisation it believed responsible, Powell added: "when you look at the list of candidates, one resides in the region."

Asked whether he was referring to bin Laden, Powell replied: "yes"

As US hands points towards bin Laden, Germany's most flamboyant internet multi-millionaire Kim Schmitz yesterday offered $10 million to any one who would provide information leading to his arrest.

This is as reports show that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ignored warnings of an impending attack on the US made available by French Intelligence. The FBI arrested an Islamic militant in Boston last month and received French intelligence reports linking him to bin Laden but apparently did not act on them, a French radio station said yesterday.

Bin Laden has consistently denied involvement in the attacks on the United States, but says he fully supports such "daring acts".

He has repeatedly denounced the United States for sending troops to Arab countries and for its support of Israel.

In a statement apparently sent from somewhere in Afghanistan and published by a Pakistani newspaper, the Saudi exile and mastermind of notable terrorist activities on US targets was quoted as saying that even if he was eliminated, such attacks were not going to stop.

He praised what he called the courage of the suicide attackers, and thanking God, described it as a "noble cause."

On Wednesday bin Laden was quoted as saying "I support the attacks because they constitute a reaction of the oppressed people against the atrocities of the cruel "

"The United States would get nothing out of eliminating one Osama", the paper quoted him as saying, " as there were several Osamas".

He said dozens of known fighters and other experts were with him and were willing to give their lives for what he described as a "noble cause".

Another source, the Abu Dhabi television quotes an aid to bin Laden as saying that the Saudi while maintaining he had nothing to do with the attacks, however said they were ``punishment from Allah.'' `I have no information about the attackers or their aims and I don't have any links with them,'' the aide quoted bin Laden as saying.

Presently, the reclusive leader of Afghanistan's ruling Taleban, Mullah Mohammad Omar, has publicly protested bin Laden's innocence. In his first public comment on Tuesday's terror attacks on the United States, Mullah Omar said bin Laden could not be held responsible. His statement - read out on the Taleban's Radio Sharia - came as the Afghan capital Kabul braced itself for a possible retaliatory strike by the United States.

In the statement, monitored by the AFP news agency, Mullah Omar said bin Laden could not have ordered the attack because he has no pilots under his command.

"The incidents which took place in America are testimony to Osama Bin Laden's innocence because where are Osama's pilots and where were they trained?" he was quoted as saying.

Reports say that Afghan's capital, Kabul residents are already bracing up for the eventual attack from the US. The residents said they had seen people digging trenches on the outskirts of the city and that other fortifications were also being made. With television banned, Kabul residents could be seen with small transistor radios pressed to their ears listening to foreign broadcasts for news of the disaster.

The capital has already come under fire this week, after anti-Taliban forces used helicopter gunships to raid the city's airport in retaliation for an assassination attempt -- in which bin Laden was also implicated -- on its military commander. Despite growing fears, the Afghan capital remained largely calm on yesterday with markets and bazaars bustling as normal. But residents said they were frightened and scared, and most saw retaliation as a matter of course.

One resident was pragmatic about any impending danger. ``I don't care about US attacks,'' said government employee Shakir Ullah. ``I lost half my life in the noise of artillery, helicopters and fighting.''

With the specter of military strikes looming, diplomats from Australia, Germany and the United States -- in Kabul with a number of relatives of eight Christian aid workers on trial for promoting Christianity -- left for Pakistan. ``We did not sense any difference than any other day,'' U.S. diplomat David Donahue said on arrival. ``There was nothing going on in Kabul. It was quiet when we left.''.

Neighboring Pakistan -- one of only three countries to recognize the Taliban -- offered ``full cooperation'' to Washington as it attempts to track down the perpetrators.

Significantly, Pakistan's then government refused the U.S. permission to overfly its airspace in 1998 as Washington sought revenge for deadly bomb attacks on its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania for which bin Laden was also blamed.

While it was not immediately clear how many Arab nationals live in Afghanistan, residents said almost all had left central Kabul. Afghan-Arabs -- a term encompassing virtually all non-Afghan Muslim militants regardless of their origin -- were also reported to have evacuated their bases elsewhere in the country. Muslim militants from the Middle East, Philippines, Central Asia and China have long used Afghanistan as a training base. The U.S. has previously described the country as a ``school for terrorism.''

With Washington vowing a ``hammer of vengeance'' to those responsible for the attacks and any country which aided them, the Taliban have been swift to deny responsibility.

The United Nations also withdrew its last remaining international staff from Kabul on Thursday, with many in tears as they bade farewell to their local colleagues. But the International Committee of the Red Cross, which operates key health projects, said most of its foreign staff would remain.

Experts said that besides bin Laden -- who honed his guerrilla skills against Soviet troops in the 1980s commanding Arab fighters funded by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency few have the cash or expertise to mount such attacks.

US officials have described the Saudi-born dissident as their chief suspect in off-the record briefings, saying they have intercepted messages between his people talking about the attacks.

The Taleban ambassador to neighbouring Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, said, when asked about bin Laden's possible extradition, that the first step would be to discuss any US evidence.

On the warning to the FBI, Europe 1 radio reported that U.S. police arrested a man with dual French and Algerian nationality who had several passports, technical information on Boeing aircraft and flight manuals. The man had been taking flying lessons, it added.

Asked for information by the FBI, French security services provided a dossier clearly identifying him as an Islamic militant working with bin Laden. ``He has a pedigree as long as your arm, an investigator said,'' the radio reported.

``He belongs to the Pakistani-Afghan network that trains Osama bin Laden's soldiers.'' Two of the four commercial airliners hijacked in the suicide operation took off from Boston. Many Algerian militants fought against Soviet troops in Afghanistan in the 1980s and have since used their military background for guerrilla attacks in Algeria, France and other countries, intelligence sources say.

It said the man, who is in jail but has refused to cooperate with investigators, was a ``soldier without borders'' who had made several trips to potential hotspots around the world in recent months. ``He has the profile of someone who could prepare or lead terrorist operations,'' it said.

``This information was transmitted by French security services to the FBI but apparently got lost in the enormous American police machinery,'' it added. ``The inquiry that might have been able to avoid everything was not started. There was no special alert transmitted to airport authorities in the U.S.,'' it concluded.

Schmitz, the ex-hacker portrayed in the tabloid press with fast cars and scantily clad women, posted a ``Most Wanted'' bulletin on his personal Web site. ``Spread the word, stop terror,'' Schmitz wrote in an e-mail received by Reuters. The message contained a link to his Web site, which offers up to $10 million for ``information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction'' of bin Laden.

Schmitz, who is reported to be worth about $200 million, most recently grabbed the headlines with a surprise offer to bail out ailing web retail service earlier this year. Schmitz was convicted of computer hacking in 1998 and since has made a fortune providing computer security consulting and, more recently, venture capital investment.

His Web site also features photographs of Schmitz racing cars, shooting an assault rifle and flying around the world in his private jet for lavish vacations with his model girlfriend and other friends. The State Department offered a $5 million reward for bin Laden in 1998, when he was indicted in connection with bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa.

Meanwhile, a man who had been identified by federal authorities as a possible hijacker involved in Tuesday's terrorist attacks is alive and cooperating with the FBI, sources said yesterday.

Adnan Bukhari, who had attended pilot training school in Vero Beach Florida, was talking to FBI agents, sources said. A furniture salesman said he had seen Bukhari after the terrorist crashes, and he contacted authorities. Bukhari's brother, Ameer Bukhari, died in a small plane crash in Florida last year, according to a lawyer for the family.

Federal sources had initially identified the brothers as possible hijackers who had boarded one of the planes that originated in Boston. Their names had been tied to a car founded at Logan International Airport in Boston. But Bukhari's attorney said it appeared their identifications were stolen and said Bukhari had no role in the hijackings.

The revelation came as U.S. agents continued to zero in on suspected pilots of the four hijacked jetliners. Two crashed into and destroyed the two World Trade Center towers, a third crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in rural Pennsylvania.

The FBI is working on the assumption that there were between 12 and 24 hijackers directly involved in the attacks, and that there may have been as many as 50 people involved in the planning and execution of the attacks.

Sources also said all the hijackers may not have known one another, to prevent them from giving away information if they were captured and interrogated.

Law enforcement sources said the hijackers may have gone into action, performing pre-assigned roles, on receiving a signal.

Plane tickets for seven people suspected of being the hijackers were purchased with one credit card, information federal investigators deem extremely critical evidence, sources told CNN.

The credit card apparently belonged to a material witness picked up in Boston, not one of the hijackers.

Two of the hijackers apparently came to the United States from Nova Scotia, Canada, crossing the border via a ferry to Bar Harbor, Maine, sources said.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Interpol are assisting U.S. law enforcement in retracing their steps in Canada.

Authorities believe three to five hijackers were on board each of the four planes that crashed.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\=========================\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

THISDAY     -     Dateline: 14/09/2001 02:25:58

   The Terrorism in America


Three days ago, the United States (US) woke up to the most unusual. Two of its major cities, New York and Washington DC, were left in ruins from serial aerial attacks.

Two suicide planes first crashed into two of the world's tallest buildings called the World Trade Centre Twin Towers. Then, almost simultaneously, Washington DC, the country's capital came under similar attacks. There was an explosion at the State Department, and the Pentagon, the country's Defence Headquarters, went up in flames.

The number of people who lost their lives in the attacks have not been confirmed. But it is believed that several thousands of people must have been cut down by the serial attacks. They gory incidents have left Americans shell-shocked. Indeed, the entire world is shaken to the roots by the attacks suspected to have been master-minded by terrorists. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

However, speculations are rife that the suicidal attacks may have originated from real or imagined enemies of the US in the Middle East, or elsewhere in the world.

But it is reassuring that some elements in the Middle East who, ordinarily, would be thought to be in the mood to gloat over the dastardly act have dissociated themselves from the bombings and have, instead, sent their condolences to the American authorities.

We join the rest of the world in commiserating with Americans in this moment of sorrow. Terrorism is a heinous crime which the world should stand up against. It is anti-people and goes against the grain of civilised conduct. It is simply inhuman. The perpetrators of the act should therefore be brought to book.

That is why we identify with the sentiments expressed by George Bush, the American President, that the United States will hunt down those responsible for the acts of terror.

We, however, have our reservations about Bush's reference to punishment for those responsible. That sentiment may be difficult to suppress. But this is hardly the time to contemplate or waste emotions on vengeance.

What is of utmost necessity at the moment is for the authorities in the US to work assiduously towards unearthing the culprits of the terrorist acts.

It is almost unimaginable that the US which has one of the most sophisticated of intelligence agencies could be taken by surprise. The incident is therefore a challenge to the intelligence ingenuity of not only the Central Intelligence Agency but also the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Since US has the wherewithal to bring to light both the masterminds and perpetrators of the act, we expect that the whole truth about the attacks will soon become public knowledge. To do this successfully, Americans must not indulge in a wild goose chase.

Having known who was responsible, it will then behove the authorities in US to inquire into the motive behind the terrorist acts. Since terrorism is beginning to assume the status of an octopus all over the world, the US should be interested in knowing why people should be aggrieved to the point of engaging in wilful murder and suicide. This is imperative because it is only when issues that give rise to terrorism are addressed that the world can begin to dream of peaceful co-existence.

The US as the most powerful country in the world, and which has, on its own, assumed the status of the world's police has a major role to play in this regard. It should see this assignment as a calling especially in the light of the fact that it is the target of the latest and most devastating terrorist assault on humanity. The overall aim is to stem the tide of hate and destruction. That is why we denounce the pockets of jubilations that have taken place in parts of the world over the incident. We find such indulgences reprehensible. In a globalised world such as the one we live in, people should be seen to be preaching and promoting peace instead of hate and rancour. It is even worse when children are indoctrinated or brought up to believe that the man next door is an enemy. The involvement of children in the misplaced jubilation is therefore unfortunate. It stands condemned.

The loss and pain of the US in this matter are not limited to its shores. With its entire airspace shut; with flights being diverted to other countries of the world; and with a lot of airplanes grounded as a result of the incident, the economy of the US and, by extension, that of the global community, will be adversely affected. The the absence of trading activities at the New York Stock Exchange and the entire paralysis that the American financial districts have suffered are bound to be economically disastrous for the whole world. They could lead to recession.

We do not need such eerie atmospheres any longer in a globalised world. It is high time the entire humanity began to see itself as one big family whose interdependence should be taken for granted.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\========================\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

GUARDIAN ONLINE   =  Friday, September 14, 2001

Nigerians still grieve over attacks on U.S

By Abiodun Fagbemi (Ilorin) Prisca Egede, Evelyn Akala (Lagos) and Psaro Yornamue (Owerri)

THOUGH America is thousands of miles away, reverberating effects of the calamity unleashed on United States by faceless terror, are being felt in the country as Nigerians continue to grieve over the attacks yesterday.

In Ilorin, Kwara State Governor, Mohammed Lawal, said the attacks were horrifying episode that should attract universal condemnation.

According to him, the attack "is saddening and frightening. We were once taken to the World Trade Centre Twin Towers in New York, for a look. Behold, they were architectural designs to marvel at."

"If the destruction that befell the once beautiful structure was man made, I think, world leaders should jointly rise and condemn it. Only God knows what will end the disaster, I mean no mortal can be too specific on the identities of the victims. Nigerians, Arabians or even a Kwaran, could be victims of the mass destructions of lives and property," he said.

The governor, while counting the gains of his third industrial foreign trips said that the recent trip would facilitate the building of a petroleum refinery and an independent power project in the state.

According to him, an undisclosed American electricity company would next month commence works on the power project while works on the proposed refinery would start in December this year.

Besides, another American firm under a contractual agreement with the state government, volunteered to build a befitting terminal for the recently restructured Ilorin Airport. The airport was built as an alternate airport to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Also condemning the attack yesterday, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, described it as wicked, saying no amount of provocation should have warranted it.

In its reaction, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has described the incident as "cruel, callous and barbaric."

The labour body said perpetrators of the dastard acts and those harbouring them should be death with.

In a statement yesterday by its President, Adams Oshiomhole, the NLC said: "The whole world must come out and give America the support it needs to deal with these perpetrators of this gruesome act and those who knowingly harbour them."

Describing terrorism as a "crime against humanity and should be resisted by all decent people," the NLC expressed sympathy with the people and government of America over the national tragedy, adding that "our hearts go to the families of the victims in whose grief, bewilderment and anger we share."

In Owerri, the Imo State capital, the residents are still mourning, even as they are making frantic efforts to get in touch with their relations in America, to ascertain their safety.

Many civil servants in Imo State, abandoned their duty posts on Tuesday to witness the thriller-like horror unleashed on the United States, and thereafter reach for telephone to hear from their relations in U.S.

But the analogue system in the state didn't help matters, forcing many to go to Port Harcourt and Onitsha where digital telephone system had been installed.

On Wednesday, a contractor who preferred anonymity, told The Guardian that his wife left Nigeria on Saturday for New York but he was not sure whether she had arrived before the incident.

Investigation revealed that almost all the international call centre include NITEL, recorded high patronage between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Also, prayers were offered in many churches in the state for the protection of Nigerians in U.S, even, as they expressed shock over the incident.

The newsstands also witnessed large turn out of civil servants and businessmen who wanted to update their knowledge on the development in America.

Some people however permanently turned their radio to Voice of America (VOA) and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\-----------------------------------\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

THISDAY NEWS Dateline: 12/09/2001 01:01:37

 

The US Tragedy...
Jubilation in Zamfara, Palestinians Celebrate
By Appolonia Emeanua with Agency Reports


Reports from Zamfara State has it that shortly after the attack on America became public knowledge, several people in the state capital, Gusau openly began jubiliation.

Just some 2,000 Palestinians reportedly celebrated chanting slogans in honour of suspected terrorist Osama Bin Laden.

According to the report monitored on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) yesterday, the Islamic Youth Organisation of Zamfara, an association comprising fundamentalist Islamic groupings has said that it will embark on a procession today (Wednesday) to demonstrate their joy over the attack.

According to the report, shortly after the news of the attack was aired, several people took to the streets, chanting joyous songs in solidarity with the unknown attackers. Some of them who spoke to the BBC in Gasau expressed delight that the world's sole super power has come under attack, saying it was paying the prize of its activities in taking sides with the Israelis against the Palestinians who are currently under the occupation of Israel.

Many of the Islamic militants whose views were sought following the jubilation in that state were said to have expressed their dissatisfaction over the role the United States (US) have been playing in the middle east conflict, saying they have remained partial over the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, choosing to favour Israel in all their decisions.

Some of them were reported to have cited the example of the role America played at the just-concluded United Nations (UN) Conference on Racism which took place in Durban, South Africa, where both the US and Israel staged a walk-out in protest of attempts to include strong and critical language they consider offensive to Israel.

Although the walk-out did not stop the conference, it resulted in the language of the resultant communiqu‚ to become watered down, to the displeasure of many countries of the Arab League, majority of which are strong supporters of the Palestinian cause.

The report further stated that many of the Islamic militants in Zamfara hailed yesterday's attack, saying it is now the turn of America to face the consequences of their actions.

It will be recalled that the US has been a major player in the middle east conflict. Over the years, it has played an intervention role bringing the warring parties to negotiate and find solution to their common problem. But over 50 years since the conflict began with the creation of Israel, the situation on the ground is far from peaceful. In the past 11 months the Palestinians, in their efforts to stop Israeli occupation of their territories and ultimately achieve a homeland and self-determination, have began an uprising (Intifada) in which hundreds of its people and some Israelis have died. Up till now, the war is still raging in that region, with frequent reports of suicide attacks and bombing claiming lives.

Besides, before the commencement of the racism conference, several Arab nations had proposed that they would equate Zionism with racism, a plan that was deplored by America which insisted that if Arab nations were allowed to have their way, it would not participate in the conference.

After several weeks of wrangling over the issue and that of the demand by Africa countries that western nations pay them reparations over their role during the slavery years, the conference opened, with the US and Israel sending a low-level delegation.

The Palestinians cried "Bin Laden, bomb tel Aviv!" according to an AFP correspondent on the scene.

Others said the string of attacks were "divine vengeance" in return for US policy in the Middle East.

Many celebrated Tuesday's terror attacks in the United States, chanting ``God is Great'' and distributing candy to passers-by, even as their leader, Yasser Arafat, said he was horrified.

The U.S. government has become increasingly unpopular in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the past year of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, with many Palestinians accusing Washington of siding with Israel.

In the West Bank town of Nablus, about 3,000 people poured into the street shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and government targets in Washington.

Demonstrators distributed candy in a traditional gesture of celebration. Several Palestinian gunmen shot in the air, while other marchers carried Palestinian flags. Nawal Abdel Fatah, 48, wearing a long, black dress, threw sweets in the air, saying she was happy because ``America is the head of the snake, America always stands by Israel in its war against us.''

Her daughter Maysoon, 22, said she hoped the next attack would be launched against Tel Aviv.

In traditionally Arab east Jerusalem, there was a smaller gathering of about two dozen people, many of them young children led in chants by adults. Some drivers passing the scene honked their horns and flashed victory signs from their windows.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\====================\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

 

From GUARDIAN Online  Thursday, September 13, 2001

Obasanjo, reps condemn attacks

By Martins Oloja, Oghogho Obayuwana, Adamu Abuh (Abuja), Bode Ayodele, Francis Obinor, Yinka Aderibigbe (Lagos) and Coffie Charles Gyamfi (Abeokuta) AS grief-stricken Americans come to terms with the unfolding realities of Tuesday's terrorist attack on their country, Nigeria yesterday commiserated with the country and canvassed punishment for its perpetrators. And in Lagos, foreign embassies, including that of America, flew their national flags at half mast yesterday, as they grieved over a tragedy of monumental proportion, which befell the American people, nay the world. In a condolence message to President George Bush, President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed sympathy with the U.S, on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria over the what he called the "sadistic terrorist attack" on the American people. He described the attack as "callous and dastardly" adding that it must be condemned by all peace-loving people in the world. "The perpetrators of this heinous crime that has resulted in huge losses of lives and property, must not go unpunished." He added: "Terrorism and terrorists must never be given comfort. The spirit of democracy must never be downcast but must be buoyed up and made unconquerable." The President who was visibly moody yesterday before the Federal Executive Council said that Nigeria's prayers and sympathy "also go to the families of those who have lost their beloved ones in the attack." Also, the House of Representatives, has condemned the attack, describing the action as "an act of terrorism against humanity" and called on all governments of the world to embrace dialogue as a potent instrument for resolving conflicts and achieving set goals. The House, which observed a minute silence for the victims of the attack, also resolved to communicate its "deep-felt" sympathy to the people and government of the United States. Nduka Irabor, (PDP-Delta), who raised the issue under matter of urgent national importance, described the attack as "cowardly" and urged that "the perpetrators be fished out and punished." Contributing, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Adamu Bulkachuwa said that the U.S. had spent time and resources to encourage world peace, adding that acts of terrorism should be condemned. "Terrorism should be condemned in its totality and it should not be used as an avenue to settle scores," he said Victor Lar, (APP-Plateau), said that the U.S. had always stood by Nigeria in its trying moments and that Nigeria now had an opportunity to reciprocate by condemning the terrorist attack. Patricia Ette, in her contribution said that if the U.S. could be attacked in spite of its tight security network, then no country in the world could be described as "safe." However, Mohammed Danchida, said that the attack had shown the porosity of the U.S. security network and could be "a retaliatory action against acts of terrorism by the U.S. in the past." "We are living witnesses to what the U.S. did in Sudan, Iraq, Kuwait and other Middle East countries. The U.S. is only being paid in her own coins", he said. And in Lagos yesterday, British Permanent Under Secretary, Sir John Kerr condemned the attacks, which he described as cowardly. Also, Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, called for a three day fasting and prayer, for God to avert future calamity and for the repose of souls lost in the attack. Fielding questions from journalists after a courtesy visit to the governor, Kerr, accompanied by the British High Commissioner, Mr. Philip Thomas, described the attacks as "a display of insanity by madmen on suicide mission." According to him, such acts was inexcusable and should be condemned in strong terms in its totality as no amount of provocation should warrant such act. For Tinubu, this is the time for eternal vigilance in the country, adding that no nation should support terrorism. In Abuja, security at the U.S embassy has been beefed up. While briefing the press yesterday evening however, the U.S. Charge De Affairs in Nigeria, Mr. Timothy Andrew was not definite on whether the suicide bombings will make the Americans' much talked about missile defence system (star wars) inevitable. "I have no reason to think that this will facilitate the missile defence system but yesterday's (Tuesday's) tragedy will not force the United States to retreat from its role as world leader." An increased number of Nigerian security personnel was observed yesterday at a police hut visible after turning in from Aso Drive. Also, two policemen were at the second check point which the embassy erected a few months ago, that drew the ire of then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Duben Onyia. Onyia had reasoned that the Embassy had no right to effect a blockade of any Nigerian road. Andrew confirmed the security arrangement yesterday, even as he thanked the Nigerian government for all the support and solidarity America has received so far. On what the U.S. would do if the terrorists are found in any country, he said "yes such country where they are hiding needs to cooperate with our efforts to effect justice. We are to bring the offenders to book." On the action envisaged should the country/countries refused to cooperate, the envoy said "I can't tell. The US government will not say much on that more than what you know." He said the U.S. defence policy will not be influenced by the recent attacks. "No! Our security is already now tight... The courageous conquer fear by transcending it. We will transcend this act of terrorism. The United States government will not allow terrorists to dictate our actions. We never have. We never will." Confirming that the embassy has passed President Obasanjo's message of condolence, sympathy and prayers to the White House, he disclosed also that a condolence delegation from the House of Representatives led by Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche had called; while the Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Saminu Turaki phoned in to express sympathy. At the embassies of the United States, Great Britain and Russia, visited yesterday by The Guardian, the staffers were still in mourning mood. But while the flag of Lebanon, a Middle-east country, was seen at full mast, that of Italy was at half mast, indicating that they were still grieving over the attack. Only skeletal services were rendered yesterday at most of the embassies. At the United States embassy at 1.50 p.m, a stern looking security officer said that besides visa applicants on appointment and drop box applicants, other enquires have been suspended. "The situation has been like this since yesterday (Tuesday); it is due to the incident in the United States", the officer said. At the British High commission, a few metres away, a similar situation ruled even as the press attache of the commission could not explain why activities were at low ebb, saying, the official who could give the explanation was not around. "The question you have asked are very valid but since I don't have a directive to respond, I cannot do so." Meanwhile, a source close to the embassy, informed that a meeting of United States citizens in the country, would soon be held, to allay their fears. "Americans in this country meet regularly. It is not unlikely that a special meeting will be summoned to address this issues", said the source. Only a few people, mostly Nigerians were seen hanging around the embassies yesterday. In his reaction Dr. Daniel Onoweh, a research fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, condemned the act and argued that the country's surveillance agencies should not solely be blamed for the failure to thwart it. But the Deputy Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Dr. Lai Osho, yesterday called for restraints on the part of America, noting that the bombing of Pentagon is an issue to ponder over. He advised against retaliation by America, because he believes retaliation would heightened tension in the world. Speaking in the same vein, and Abeokuta based legal practitioner Mr. Tunji Onabawo had said America must be cautious in its reaction to the attack, which he said had demystified the American myth. "The way the operation was carried out give the impression that those involved had lived in America for a very long time, planning towards it", he said Expressing deep shock over the attack in a letter of condolence to the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. H.F. Howard Jeter, the African Leadership Forum (ALF) said: "It is traumatic and disturbing that the perpetrators of this heinous crime did not take cognisance of the threat their malevolent acts constitute to world peace. "To us at the Africa Leadership Forum, as a beneficiary of American philanthropy and social capital, there can be no justification for such a dastardly, criminal act. It is, indeed, with very heavy heart that we received the shocking news. "If this is truly a terrorist attack as currently being speculated, it is only fair, right and proper that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. That in itself should be seen as a means of increasing global security and promotion of world peace. "As a civil society organisation concerned with global peace, development and leadership, we condemn unequivocally, and in entirely, the masterminding and execution of these acts," remarked the forum, whose founding chairman is President Obasanjo. In the letter signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, the Forum said: "What happened in the United States yesterday, was an unprecedented aggression. It calls for greater co-operation amongst nations of the world; it deepens our concern about the ever-increasing challenge of global security, especially in the face of this new plague of the 21st century.

"We call on all nations of the world and men of goodwill world-wide to express solidarity with the government of the United States of America and ensure that those who make life miserable for others are not allowed to have the last laugh," concluded the Forum.

++++++++++++++\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\++++++++++++++

Wednesday, 12 September, 2001, 13:12 GMT 14:12 UK

Africa's sorrow over US terror attacks

 

The morning-after wreckage at the World Trade Center

The leaders of a number of African nations have expressed their sympathy with the victims of the US attacks but some militant Muslim groups have been celebrating.

In Kenyan where the 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi left more than 200 dead, the news has been greeted with shock.

Maybe the Americans will now get a taste of what we went through


Consolata Wanjiru Mugo, Kenya bomb survivor

Kenya's President Daniel arap Moi condemned what he called "this heinous and evil apparently co-ordinated act of terrorism"

He said that terrorism can never be the basis for the solution of any conflict.

A correspondent for the BBC in Kenya, Kariuku Mureithi says security forces have been placed on high alert.

Heavily armed

He says heavily armed paramilitary troops have been posted to oil refineries, power plants and defence headquarters and police stations.

Service at the normally bustling Jomo Kenyetta International Airport, he says, "has been paralysed. Most flights have been indefinitely suspended".

Our correspondent says as the news of the devastation unfolded, Kenyans, reminded of the horror they suffered three years ago, scrambled around radio sets and televisions for the latest news.

But some Kenyans who feel that the US should pay compensation for the injuries they suffered will closely watch how US victims are treated.

'Innocent people'

"Maybe the Americans will now get a taste of what we went through," said Consolata Wanjiru Mugo, who was injured in the Kenyan blast.

"They will feel what it was like as innocent people to be attacked in this way", she added.

Douglas Sidiallo, who lost his sight in the Nairobi attack, told BBC News Online that the US victims should stick together in order to get through these troubled times.

"Only through togetherness, as a strong, united family can they move on," he said.

In Tanzania, where 12 people died following an attack on the US embassy just minutes after the Nairobi attack, security has been stepped up.

Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete said: "Having suffered terrorist attacks ourselves, we feel and understand what the Americans must be experiencing".

Emergency aid

The President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak has sent his condolences to the American people calling the attacks horrific and unimaginable.

An Egyptian man, Sheikh Omar Abdul-Rahman, has been convicted in a US court of involvement in the East African attacks.

It is believed that he is close to the Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden who some suspect of orchestrating the attacks both in Africa and US. He has denied the claims.

The leader of Libya, Colonel Moamer Gaddafi said his country was ready to send aid to the American people.

In Sudan, once a target for a US missile attack, the Islamist government offered its condolences.

But anti American sentiments run high in Sudan. The BBC's Alfred Taban in Khartoum says some watching the news on television shouted, "Allahu akbar" (God is great), in sympathy with the attackers.

Celebrating

Governments in Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone and The Gambia have also expressed their condolences.

We feel and understand what the Americans must be experiencing


Tanzania Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete

However some Muslim groups in northern Nigeria have been celebrating.

The BBC's Ibrahim Dosara in Zamfara says that groups opposed to the US policy in the Middle East say it is now paying the consequences.

Our Zamfara correspondent says the Islamic Youth Organisation will be holding a march on Wednesday to celebrate the attacks.

Other Africans are concerned about friends and family who are now living in the US.

-----------------+++++++++++++++++----------------------

Subject: Prayers + Flags Across America

To show the world that we Americans stick together,
September 13, 14, 15, & 16, 2001 began as "Prayers + Flags Across America" program.
Let's all display our love and support for our country.

All Americans prayed and displayed the American flag

 in their churches, offices, homes or, and cars.

The Spirit: Let's keep the meaning of UNITED in "United States"

THE LAND OF THE FREE & THE HOME OF THE BRAVE!!!

ONE NATION UNDER GOD

IN GOD WE TRUST.

8888888888888888888 PATRICK NSIONU ONLINE 2001 88888888888888888888