October 4, the wake of the terror attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September Il, the US government and ing overtime to arouse patriotic war fervor.
vigilante widespread against Muslim and Arab residents in the days immediately following the tragedy. forces have begun organising 89904S 0003E The death toll stands at more than 6,000, with $60 billion of estimated damage No one was found alive in the rubble of the collapsed day after the attack. The New York and American to close for almost a week telephone service and utilities in the downtown New York City area. When they reopened, stocks took severe nosedive President Bush immediately declared that the US is now at war with terrorists. He is projecting a military arrogantly proclaimed "Operation Infinite Justice," which is expected to last for years, though the details of what is planned remain sketchy.
The one specific action taken so far is a diplomatic effort directed at the Taliban regime hrough Pakistan to turn ›ver Osama bin Laden for prosecution.
Proof
This initiative failed when the Taliban demanded clear proof of Bin Laden's involve ment in the September 11 attacks before complying. aire resident in Afghanistan, was originally trainco under the auspices of the CIA as an operative to work against pro-Soviet forces country.
But he later turned the the United States and its allies in the Middle East The Us is working hard to pull together an international coalition, including pursue its military aims. Clearlv. international terrorism" can even be i launched without their collaboration. In his speech to the nation September 20, Bush took not the enemy.
Rather the USA considers ists who, Bush stated, distort the teachings of Islam by actapparent effort to appeal to these regimes US rulers have made it clear that Israel will not be part of any joint military effort.
On October 2 NATO issued a statement saying that it was rcady to act in alliance with the USA after being provided with "clear and compelling proof of Bin Laden's involvement. view with the New York Times, Secretary of State Colin Powel stopped short of asserting that the US actually had such proof.
He said the assertion of the link was based on "pretty 800d intormation acknowledged that "it is not evidence in the form of a The paper quoted "A senior diplomat for one closely ere had been "nothing no ticularly new or surprising," in the NaTo briefing and "it was descriptive and narrative rather than forensic there was no attempt build a legal case. The Prayers for restoration of imperialist control: Bushes and Clintons sing from the same hymn sheer Pakistani regime, an impor "linked" to bin Laden. Or tant US ally in this situation. they frequented clubs or said explicitly that the proof mosques which bin Laden's offered to them was far from supporters also attended No one. apparently, wants The White House and State to remember that the track Department apparently do record of US presidents actthat intelltevidence which they do have gence community;" as judge, with general jury, and executioner in cases For terrorism is not paracufied." So the American peo- larly encouraging. ple are being asked Particularly noteworthy in endorse a war based on faith this regard was the cruise in the judgment of their missile attack, ordered by leaders. Right now, in the immediate aftermath of the Sudanese pharmaceutical WTC attack, this confidence plant. According to "pretty level is high.
Credibility ntelligence, this factory was involved with making chem.
But historten? such a ical weapons for bin Laden. stance has tended to create It later turned out that this which could easily reassert "intormation" CURE pletely false. themselves this time around On Friday, September 14, the U.S. happened with one dissenting voice, a September 1l recedes.
resolution authorizing PresIn statement ident Bush "to use all necesSeptember 25, Congress- sary and appropriate force woman Cynthia Mckinnev one sia express any:
nizations, persons he SUCHE shared many: determines planned, autho of force occurs, the American people O 3800 the terrorist attacks that must see this proof too occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, But so lar al that hac heen offered are hints and sugges- tions or persons, in order to tions, despite an extensive Many future acts of about the conspiracy as against the United States by reconstructed by lawsuch nations, organizations enforcement officials. Some of those alleged be or persons."
The one courageous vote with people against was by Democratic congresswoman Barbara Lee "I am convinced that milifurther acts of international terrorism against the United States.
Civil liberties
Congress is also considering legislation which would supposedly tighten domestic security by curtailing civil liberties. But here there is at Congress. The Bush administration wanted a provision ALOW detention of foreign nationals indefinitely without trial.
In tae legislation waich is likely to pass, however, this is being scaled back to ner mit such detention only for a specified period. At the same ment to expand wiretap and other evesdropping powers, including the indiscriminate monitoring of internet com. muncanons by coveramca agencies.
Bush is also asking for nomic and military aid to nations previtheir record of human rights violations, provided only "war on terrorism."
Clearly the rulers of the USA want to use the events of September I1 as an excuse repression, even when the actions taken have no rela. tionship whatsoever to any security cerns.
In the days after the WTC attack all of the political pris oners held in federal jails were placed in isolation. In many cases toey are being denied access to mail, or the neys and "spiritual advisors, actions which are in And yet no one could possibly imagine that any of these individuals was involved with the events of September against US security. Included n the crackdown are those 1105060OT even hose who adhere to nonvio The international intelliuse this crisis to begin reimplementing murderous polible for thousands of deaths around the world in previous For the last 26 years it has been the official policy of the USA not to engage in assassination plots against the leaders of foreign states, There is now a move afoot to drop hat policy, and to reinstitute other CIA covert oncrations which had been curtailed due to rampant and welldocumented abuses.
The average citizen and compassion for the victims of the September received so many contributions of food and supplies, and so many volunteers to help with the rescue effort, that Mavor Giuliant had to announce more was needed. pringly the ma it the has also responded positively to the patriotic calls.
U.s. citizens of all ethnic backgrounds can be seen carrying American flags as they displaying them from cars, homes, offices. (Of statement of solidarity with the victims is involved here, probably as much as support for war). Polls consistently show 80 to 90 per cent in favour of a military campaign against