Strike force prepares attack on terrorists

Josey1

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2001 Terror in America Strike force prepares attack on terrorists BY MICHAEL BINYON AS THE United States prepares a strike force to carry out President Bush's promise to hunt down its terrorist enemies, American troops around the world were put on full alert yesterday for a possible operation against the man suspected of masterminding the attacks on New York. Osama bin Laden, the Saudi terrorist, is hiding in the mountains of Afghanistan, but America is now analysing every reconnaissance photograph, intelligence report and witness statements that might pinpoint his location. President Bush has left no doubt that America will respond to this "act of war". He said no distinction would be made between the terrorists and those who harboured them. Congressional leaders promised to support "whatever it takes" to prove that Americans would not be intimidated. But the Pentagon gave no hint yesterday of what forces would be used, where they would strike, or what preparations were under way. The target will almost certainly be bin Laden's training camps in Afghanistan, thought to be located near the city of Kandahar. Satellite observation can identify some of them, but it is impossible to be sure where bin Laden will be as he moves about every night, does not decide until the last hour where he will sleep and tells almost no one of his movements in advance. President Clinton ordered a Cruise missile attack against bin Laden's bases in Afghanistan in 1998, but the bombing had little impact on his ability to launch further terrorist operations. American intelligence has been tracking the elusive terrorist leader and is thought to have drawn up contingency plans to send commandos in to attack him. However, the operation would certainly cost many lives and there are no guarantees of success. America will use elite forces for an operation that must be as devastating as it is precise. The most secure jumping-off point would be the US military base in Diego Garcia, the British archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which played a crucial role during the Gulf War. The base is manned with B-52 heavy bombers. Secure, fully manned and within striking distance of Afghanistan, it would be the logical base from which aircraft could operate. Another option is Incirlik, the large Nato base in southern Turkey, which for the past nine years has co-ordinated US air patrols over Iraq. America could also assemble a strike force in the Indian Ocean, from which missiles could be trained on targets. There are also some American forces still in Saudi Arabia, but in the present heightened state of alert Washington would be unwilling to trust security in any host Muslim country. General Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, said in a television interview yesterday that Washington was not about to launch a military operation and that he did not yet know who was behind the attacks, but this was almost certainly a cover to give added surprise to whatever operation is planned. Strict secrecy has been imposed across all US troop movements, bases and military operations. General Powell said that, sooner or later, the United States would take action against those held responsible. "They want us to act as if we are at war and we're going to do that - diplomatically and militarily," he said.