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August 21, 1998 From Roshan Zamir WASHINGTON-The United States on Thursday launched missile strikes against what it said was a complex of terrorist facilities allegedly run by Saudi exile Osama bin Ladin about 150 kilometres south of Kabul close to Pakistan border. A pharmaceutical plant in Khartoum and six sites in Afghanistan were hit by US forces Thursday. Al-Shifa pharmaceutical plant, thought by the USA to be an Osama-supported covert chemical weapons plant, was struck in northeast Khartoum at 7:30 pm local time. At 10:00 pm local time, six sites were hit in Afghanistan, located some 150 kilometers . General Hugh Shelton, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, identified the sites as part of the Aswa Kali al-Batr headquarters, support complex and four training camps used by bin Laden's followers and also forces from the Armed Islamic Group and the Egyptian Islamic Jihad. There were up to 600 people based in the complex at the time of attack. 'They have been active for a period of time. And that activity continued through this week,' said US Defence Secretary William Cohen. According to Sudanese opposition sources in Cairo US air strikes on Thursday targeted two chemical weapons factories in the Sudanese capital. 'According to information that has reached us from Khartoum, not only the Al-Shifa factory was targeted but so was another underground factory in the suburb of Kafouri, also in Khartoum Bahari,' a section of the capital, a Sudanese opposition spokesman in Cairo said. President Clinton rushed back to Washignton Thursday from his post-Lewinsky holiday in Massachusetts. Clinton was to be briefed at Massachusetts by his national security advisers about simultaneous US attacks in Afghanistan and Sudan. The dramatic announcement was made Thursday afternoon by President Bill Clinton from his vacation in Martha's Vineyard. Clinton interrupted his vacation and returned to Washington for meetings with national security advisers on the situation. Clinton said US forces also launched simultaneous military strike on Khartoum to destroy a chemical weapons facilities suspected of providing chemical weapons to Ladin. "Today, I ordered our armed forces to strike at terrorist-related facilities in Afghanistan and Sudan because of the threat they present to our national security," he said. "I have said many times that terrorism is one of the greatest dangers we face in this new global era. We saw its twisted mentality at work last week in the embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which took the lives of innocent Americans and Africans and injured thousands more. "Today, we have struck back," he added. "The United States launched an attack this morning on one of the most active terrorist bases in the world. It is located in Afghanistan and operated by groups affiliated with Osama bin Laden, a network not sponsored by any state, but as dangerous as any we face", he said. "We also struck a chemical weapons-related facility in Sudan. Our target was the terrorists' base of operation and infrastructure," he further said. "Our objective was to damage their capacity to strike at Americans and other innocent people, he said. "I ordered this action for four reasons. First, because we have convincing evidence these groups played the key role in the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. Second, because these groups have executed terrorist attacks against Americans in the past. Third, because we have compelling information that they were planning additional terrorist attacks against our citizens and others with the inevitable collateral casualties we saw so tragically in Africa. And fourth, because they are seeking to acquire chemical weapons and other dangerous weapons",, he added. "Terrorists must have no doubt that in the face of their threats, America will protect its citizens and will continue to lead the world's fight for peace, freedom and security. "Now I am returning to Washington to be briefed by my national security team on the latest information. I will provide you with a more detailed statement later this afternoon from the White House", he said. In his brief announcement the President said "Today, I ordered our armed forces to strike at terrorist-related facilities in Afghanistan and Sudan because of the threat they present to our national security. "I have said many times that terrorism is one of the greatest dangers we face in this new global era. We saw its twisted mentality at work last week in the embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which took the lives of innocent Americans and Africans and injured thousands more. "Today, we have struck back. "The United States launched an attack this morning on one of the most active terrorist bases in the world. It is located in Afghanistan and operated by groups affiliated with Osama bin Laden, a network not sponsored by any state, but as dangerous as any we face. "We also struck a chemical weapons-related facility in Sudan. Our target was the terrorists' base of operation and infrastructure. "Our objective was to damage their capacity to strike at Americans and other innocent people. "I ordered this action for four reasons. First, because we have convincing evidence these groups played the key role in the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. Second, because these groups have executed terrorist attacks against Americans in the past. Third, because we have compelling information that they were planning additional terrorist attacks against our citizens and others with the inevitable collateral casualties we saw so tragically in Africa. And fourth, because they are seeking to acquire chemical weapons and other dangerous weapons. "Terrorists must have no doubt that in the face of their threats, America will protect its citizens and will continue to lead the world's fight for peace, freedom and security. "Now I am returning to Washington to be briefed by my national security team on the latest information. I will provide you with a more detailed statement later this afternoon from the White House." In an unprecedented move early this week the US carried out a massive evacuation of its diplomats and American citizens from Pakistan, ostensibly in anticipation of this operation. There have been persistent reports that the administration had sought Pakistani assistance and possibly base camp for operation against Ladin's hide-out for past some time. The Pakistan government denied it was providing any base camp. For obvious reasons Defence Secretary declined to answer a question if Pakistan being the closest place to Ladin's hide-out, facilitated the operation. In fact he pre-empted Gen. Shelton who nodded in response to the question and was just to say some words. The get-Ladin operation has been in the news for some time even before bombing attacks in East Africa last week. A USA-Today report that a team of CIA and FBI agents had visited Pakistan to work out strategy for such an operation was never denied. Shelton said Ladin had collected an impressive array of weapons of mass destruction to carry out his world-wide terrorist activities and was now importing chemical weapons from Sudan. He said Sudan strike was conducted in an industrial area in Khartoum and US military tried to restrict "collateral" (civilian) damage.
2 US ships positioned in Arabian Sea From Khalid Qayum ISLAMABAD - Two US ships, destroyer and a cruiser, were positioned in Arabian sea about 30 kilometers from Karachi coast since July last and their movement had become even more conspicuous after the bombing at US missions in two East African countries earlier this month. The presence of the two ships was always a matter of concern for Pakistani authorities as reports poured in that US was all set to carry out attacks against Osama Bin Laden, the Saudi millionaire, wanted by Americans for terrorist attacks against US interests world over. The ships, one aircraft carrier and the other mounted with Tomhawk cruise missiles, having a range of 2500 kilometers, remained in waters close to Karachi coast. Occasionally a survelliance aircraft would take off from one of the ships and fly over waters 10 kilometers off the Karachi coast. Since July last, this was the routine of the two ships. One ship would sail deep into the Ocean while the other held its position. After a few days the ships would change positions with each other. As the ships continued to sail Arabian sea, the Americans completed their homework before striking Laden's bases in Afghanistan by evacuating their diplomats and nationals from Pakistan. The evacuation process started earlier this week with at least 600 citizens leaving Pakistan. The evacuation was ensured to protect the Americans from a possible strike back by Laden after the American attack. The possible attack had become ominous after bomb blasts at US missions and arrest and deportation of a Palestinian from Karachi airport last week. The Palestinian, Mohammad Sadiq Howaida, had confessed to Pakistani authorities that he was part of the plan to bomb US missions and was associated to Laden.
From Shamim Shahid PESHAWAR - Despite America's claims of launching successful air strikes against Osama bin Laden in Khost town near Pakistani border in Afghanistan, the most-wanted man survived in the attacks. The personnel of secret agencies dealing with the Afghan issue told The Nation that the American planes had bombed the area. However, before the attack Osama bin Laden was shifted to a safe hideout. Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omer claimed that before the US attack, they had shifted Osama Bin Laden to a safe place. Taliban sources both in Peshawar and Quetta were, however, unaware of the attack. A large number of Taliban leaders when contacted were fast asleep and came to know of US attack against their motherland through mediamen. Only Taliban's spokesman Abdul Haye Mutmain when contacted said that they were alert to resist any US attack. He said all of their anti-aircraft weapons including stinger missiles and others were capable of frustrating the 'Get-Osama' operation. He, however, expressed his ignorance about the air strikes inside Afghanistan. On the other hand, telephones of Miran Shah, headquarter of North Waziristan Agency, remained out of order for more than five hours on Thursday evening. Likewise, the Taliban leaders telephones in Kandahar, which is directly connected with Quetta, also remained out of order for unknown reasons. Sources in Peshawar maintained that in connection with air strikes against Osama Bin Laden, the American planes had bombed the area but they were unable to give details about the casualties.
By Haseeb Haider LAHORE-US forces air strikes on the sites of Islamic groups in Afghanistan and Sudan are aimed at diverting attention of its masses from the Clinton-Monica scandal which brought the American President to his knees, plunging his popularity considerably. The failure of the US missile attack might to kill Osama bin Laden was being covered by the US spokesman's disclaimers that he was not the target. However, Osama's survival shows that the American attack did not achieve its main purpose. To religious-minded Pakistanis it is a sheer attack on Muslim ummah but for many it is an attack on a terrorist who masterminded bombings in US Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in which over 200 people including 12 US nationals were killed. Whatever the case may be but these US attacks on two poor sovereign nations fighting for their survival is a clear violation of international law, conventions and protocols of with whom US administration seems indifferent and has nothing to do with. US nationals evacuation from Pakistan last Monday generated strong fears and apprehensions that the lone superpower may conduct air strikes on Osama hideout any time to break the backbone of Islamic groups, which proved correct by Friday night's US action. No details were available about the death toll. However, Taliban spokesman said that Osama bin Laden was safe and sound. But Pakistani nation who is already passing through severe economic crisis and social unrest was shocked and perturbed on US action. Friday's attacks also suggest that these strikes on Islamic groups base camps are not the end of the game but it will prove counter productive. Nobody can support the killings of innocent people by any group or organisation anywhere in the world and similarly the US style of settling scores with its enemies is also highly condemnable. Under these circumstances when US forces have committed naked aggression against two sovereign Muslim nations how could US interests across the Muslim world be guaranteed. The US did not seriously pursue the Taliban offer to punish Osama bin Laden on Afghan territory if proof was provided against him, nor was the Taliban condemnation of the Kenyan and Tanzanian attacks given much weight.
LAHORE - Amir Jama'at-i-Islami (JI) Qazi Hussain Ahmad, while terming US air-strikes as open violation of international law as well as human values, has said that US aggression has caused threat to security and independence of sovereign states. Commenting on the US air-raid on Sudan and Afghanistan, he said US bombardment on civilian population is unjustified even if they prove their allegation that Osama Bin Laden is terrorist. He urged upon United Nations to call an emergency meeting of Security Council for chalking out a joint strategy against US aggression. He further said that the whole world should strongly condemn the
State-terrorism by USA. "He warned that "Pakistan government would be He further said "Nawaz Government has paved the way for US aggression by handing over Sadiq Huwaida to America which is a condemnable act.". He was of the view that President Clinton has ordered these air-strikes only to divert attention of American people from his sex scandal. "He has ruined peace of two Muslim countries just for his personal cause," he added. Jamaat's Secretary General Munawar Hasan declared the United States as the biggest terrorist which is not ready to accept the sovereignty and independence of other states. The Jamaat leader termed as farce the American leadership's claim that a pharmaceutical company in Khartoum which was bombarded manufactured chemicals used in the production of chemical weapons. Munawar said the United States thought that being the only superpower of the world it could usurp the freedom of the weaker states, but it must be grossly mistaken as now it would have to face retaliation from the entire Muslim World for its latest act of terrorism. Chief of Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) Tahirul Qadri has strongly condemned the US air-strike. He said that PAT would hold country-wide rallies against US. He said First rally would be held in Islamabad on August 23, second in Peshawar and third in Lahore. He said that US had violated international laws by carrying out the air-strike. Punjab Chief Minister's Special Assistant Ilyas Qureshi declared the United States as the biggest gangster of the world. To him airstrikes in Afghanistan and Sudan was attack on the entire Muslim World. The statement concluded with an all-out praise for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who he felt could deal with the difficult foreign affairs situation in a best possible manner. Expressing a strong reaction to the attacks, Deputy patron of Darul Uloom Haqania, Akora Khattak, Maulana Anwarul Haq said, on telephone from Akora Khattak, "We the administrators and teachers of Haqania condemn the attack in the strongest possible words and appeal to the Islamic world to get united." The madrasa, patronised by Maulana Samiul Haq chief of his own faction of Jamiat ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), is renowned for giving religious education to a large number of Afghanistan's Taliban who have implemented a purist Islamic system in their country. "America has challenged honour of the Muslim Ummah," Anwarul Haq said. He said by attacking Osama America in fact tried to attack the emerging Islamic system in Afghanistan. "The attack on Osama was an excuse to destroy Shariat in Afghanistan." He gave a call to the Muslim world to launch a unified action against America to end "its policemanship." "America should be ready for a Nigeria and Algeria like situation if it acts like a world policeman." Darul Uloom Haqania has a long association with developments in Afghanistan as about 90 per cent of the Taliban leadership and the movements' rank and file are either its present or present students. The Arab dissident, Osama bin Laden, whose bases were attacked, in an interview with journalists at his hideout in Afghanistan sometime back, had informed them about his ties with Maulana Samiul Haq.
From Umer Farooq ISLAMABAD - After the US air strikes to eliminate Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden inside Afghanistan close Pakistani border the situation in the region has become very volatile, a senior defence official said. Americans hit Khost city with Tomahawk Cruise missiles. Khost is a Afghan town close to Pakistani border. Meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will review the security situation which has developed after this sinister development. A senior official told The Nation that the meeting of JCSC was scheduled prior to the US Air strikes, the JCSC meeting will focus on the security situation. The spokesman for the Foreign Office Tariq Altaf said Pakistan has contacted the Americans as the strikes took place close to Pakistan's border. The spokesman said Pakistan is closely watching the situation, arising out of the military strikes on targets in Afghanistan."Pakistan is fully alert to the situation to ensure the security of its borders," said the spokesman. The missile strikes are of great concern for the Pakistani defence decision makers as it could destabilise the region. Another cause for Pakistan's concern is that Osama Bin Laden with his "private army" of more than 2000 Arabs and some Pakistanis can cause trouble. In such situation there is a danger of Pakistan becoming the battleground. Few days back Pakistan intelligence agencies reported to the Prime Minister that any US military strikes against Osama Bin Laden using Pakistan as base would lead to a backlash by religious forces in the country. There were some who were suggesting that even slightest hint that Pakistan is cooperating with Americans in get-Osama operation can lead to backlash by religious forces in the country. Some of the extremists religious groups in Pakistan have direct links with Osama bin Laden and some elements in these groups are directly working for Osama Bin Laden. "We are facing a very serious situation," said a senior official. Akram Zaki Senator Akram Zaki said the US military strikes on targets in Afghanistan marked a 'dangerous trend.' Akram Zaki, head of the Senate standing committee on foreign affairs, speaking only hours after Cruise missiles were launched at alleged terrorist bases in Afghanistan said such force could only be under the authority of the United Nations Security Council. Individual nations 'cannot resort to the law of jungle,' said Zaki, a former foreign secretary, adding 'this is a dangerous trend.' The permanent members of the UN Security Council 'are expected to display a greater sense of responsibility.' Asked whether Pakistan was informed in advance about the raids, he replied: 'I don't think so.' Zaki said the strikes explained the 'mystery' of the large-scale evacuation of US embassy diplomats and staff from Pakistan on Tuesday. 'They had these plans, but I do not know what can they achieve by such use of force,' the parliamentarian said. |
