October 11, 2001

AFGHAN ALTERNATIVES   PBS Newshour With Jim Lehrer Transcript

America Attacks Easy to Start, Hard to Finish

The end of Pakistan's great game By Kesava Menon

 


Taliban forces reported under pressure in north
By Mike Collett-White
Friday October 12, 3:43 AM
KHOJA BAHAWUDDIN, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Accounts of gains by opposition commanders in Afghanistan are impossible to confirm, but they are starting to paint a picture of Taliban forces under pressure

Strong Explosions Heard Near Afghan Capital Kabul
Thursday October 11 7:11 PM ET
KABUL (Reuters) - A series of up to eight strong explosions were heard from areas around the beleaguered Afghan capital Kabul early on Friday, as U.S.-led attacks continued through their fifth night.

White House has 'no information' on rumors of bin Laden capture
WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (AFP) - The White House has "no information" on rumors that Osama bin Laden, blamed here for September 11 terror strikes on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center,

Taliban hold up UN aid convoy, demand tax
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (AFP) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban have held up a UN food aid convoy bound for the western city of Herat by demanding an "unacceptable" tax to allow it to proceed, a UN

Pakistan assisting CIA in splitting Taliban: report
The News: Jang (Pakistan) October 11, 2001
WASHINGTON: The American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is being assisted by Pakistan in launching the covert operation of breaking away Taliban commanders

Zahir's family for demilitarisation of Kabul
The News: Jang (Pakistan) October 11, 2001
ROME: Afghanistan's former royal family has called for the immediate demilitarisation of the Afghan capital Kabul and expressed concern that chaos could return if US-led military strikes force

Overseas Afghans welcome ex-king's possible rule
ROME, Oct 11 (AFP) - Afghans in the West on Thursday expressed doubt the current United States military campaign in Afghanistan could lead to the arrest or removal of Osama bin Laden.

Huge terror arsenal seized as Pakistan braces for backlash
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (AFP) - Pakistani authorities Thursday seized more than 2,700 grenades from a man suspected of plotting terrorist attacks in response to US-led attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan.

Old hide-outs of Osama under attack
By Rahimullah Yusufzai The News: Jang (Pakistan) October 11, 2001
PESHAWAR: The US is increasingly targeting the old camps and hideouts of Osama bin Laden in Taliban-held areas as its punitive aerial strikes on Afghanistan continued on Wednesday.

Germany for Pak-friendly Afghan govt
Naveed Miraj - Frontier post
ISLAMABAD: Juergen Chrobog State Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Germany said on Wednesday that Germany wanted a Pakistan-friendly Government in Afghanistan.

No guilt, no responsibility at this perverse gathering of Islamic kings and dictators
War against terrorism: Arab Summit
By Robert Fisk, Middle East Correspondent 11 October 2001
Listening to the speeches of the Muslim leaders at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference emergency summit

Iran says U.S. and Taliban use same "arrogant" voice
Friday October 12, 4:01 AM
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said on Thursday both the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban rulers spoke the language of force and arrogance.

Pakistan says no U.S. armed personnel, aircraft in the country
Islamabad, Oct 11, IRNA -- Pakistan on Thursday denied reports about the presence of American armed services personnel and aircraft in Pakistan.

Rabbani sees Tajikistan leaders
Thursday, 11 October, 2001, 06:10 GMT 07:10 UK
The former president of Afghanistan who was ousted by the Taleban, Burhanuddin Rabbani, has said that the future of the country can only be determined after the Taleban has been destroyed

Afghan group says seized key town from Taliban
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Forces loyal to Afghan warlord Ismail Khan said on Thursday they had captured the town of Chaghcharan, straddling a vital road linking Kabul to the western city of Herat.

Afghan group says seized key town from Taliban
TEHRAN, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Forces loyal to Afghan warlord Ismail Khan said on Thursday they had captured the town of Chaghcharan, straddling a vital road linking Kabul

Taliban leaders are defecting: Hoon
LONDON, Oct 11 (AFP) - Military strikes on Afghanistan are "already having an impact" on the cohesion of the ruling Taliban regime and led to defections

UK says 40 Afghan targets hit so far
LONDON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Britain said on Thursday that the U.S.-led air campaign had hit 40 targets in its first four days and warned Afghanistan this was

Taliban claims large civilian death toll from US attacks
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (AFP) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban accused US forces of killing more than 110 civilians during intense overnight attacks on Kabul

Exiled Afghan Says His Forces Are Key
By JIM HEINTZ
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (AP) - The head of the Afghan government opposed to the Taliban militia that controls most of the country said Thursday that his small forces

Ex-Afghan King Pushes for Meeting
By NICOLE WINFIELD
ROME (AP) - With U.S. airstrikes pounding Taliban targets, Afghanistan's former king is pushing ahead with plans for a gathering of tribal leaders to select a new

Afghan Envoy: Taliban Troops Defecting
By JOHN J. LUMPKIN
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Washington-based envoy for rebel forces in Afghanistan says his group welcomes defecting troops from the Taliban government and is willing

Blair says air power not enough in Afghanistan
By Dominic Evans
CAIRO, Oct 11 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that air strikes alone would not win the U.S.-led war on terrorism in Afghanistan.

Pakistan says will not be base for U.S. attacks
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (Reuters) - The United States will not use any of its troops based in Pakistan for attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan, the government spokesman said on Thursday.

Pakistan party asks govt to change policy or quit
By Tahir Ikram
TIMERGARA, Pakistan, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Pakistan's largest Islamic party said on Thursday it will launch a campaign to force the military government either

No imposed political dispensation in Afghanistan acceptable:
Musharraf Islamabad, Oct 10, IRNA - Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has said that no imposed political dispensation in Afghanistan will be acceptable.

Afghans threatened with deportation
BBC
The government in Pakistan has warned that it will deport any Afghan refugees found to be involved in pro-Taleban demonstrations.

Chirac appeals for journalist's release
BBC
The French President, Jacques Chirac, has appealed to the Taleban regime to release a French journalist arrested in Afghanistan and charged with spying.

Rebels Delay Move Against Kabul
Devising Plan for New Government in Afghanistan Becomes Priority
By Peter Baker, Molly Moore and Kamram Khan - Washington Post Foreign Service, October 11, 2001
JABAL SARAJ, Afghanistan, Oct. 10 -- Afghan opposition forces said today they have agreed to delay a crucial offensive to take control of Kabul until an interim government

Bin Laden Said to 'Own' The Taliban
Bush Is Told He Gave Regime $100 Million
By Bob Woodward Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, October 11, 2001
Osama bin Laden has provided an estimated $100 million in cash and military assistance to the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan over the last five years, making bin Laden the single

US. vision for Kabul includes vital U.N. role
By Nicholas Kralev - WASHINGTON TIMES
The United States yesterday outlined a vision for a post-Taliban Afghanistan with a pivotal role for the United Nations, as China and Russia endorsed the concept

A City of Exiles Dreams of Power Regained
By BARRY BEARAK - NY Times 10/11
PSHAWAR, Pakistan, Oct. 10 - They hold meetings, drink green tea, hold more meetings, drink more tea. Occasionally, they call Washington or Islamabad or Rome.

Taliban hit in the north
By Bill Gertz -  WASHINGTON TIMES
U.S. bombers yesterday pounded Taliban forces in northern Afghanistan for the first time and hit targets around Kabul as the opposition Northern Alliance was poised

U.S. Unleashes Heaviest Raids Yet on Afghanistan
By Sayed Salahuddin
Wednesday October 10 8:50 PM ET
KABUL (Reuters) - Planes and cruise missiles pounded Kabul and other Afghan cities into the early hours of Thursday in the fiercest bombardments since U.S.-led attacks against Osama bin Laden

Heaviest attacks yet shake Kabul
Wednesday, 10 October, 2001, 22:05 GMT 23:05 UK
Attacks by day and night as US claims "air supremacy"
US jets have launched the heaviest air strikes yet on Kabul, as a fourth night of attacks gets underway.

Taleban denies US air supremacy claim
BBC News
The Taleban authorities in Afghanistan have dismissed claims by the United States that it has gained virtual air supremacy over the country after three days of attacks.

Afghan Alliance 'ready to attack'
October 10, 2001
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (CNN) - With the U.S.-led strikes pounding Kabul from the air, commanders from the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance are calling on American military planners to target

Zahir's aide warns against interference in Afghan affairs
The News: Jang (Pakistan) - October 10, 2001
ROME: Afghanistan's former royal family has warned Pakistan not to try to play a king-maker's role if the Taliban regime collapses. General Abdul Wali, a senior aide and son-in-law of former monarch Zahir Shah

20-member Afghan Shoora in offing
By Salim Bokhari - The News: Jang (Pakistan) October 10, 2001
LAHORE: The stage appears to be set to form a 20-member joint council of Afghan representatives once the Taliban government collapses under the weight of the ongoing attacks by the United States and its allies.

Taliban assault UN mine clearing staff in Afghanistan: official
ISLAMABAD, Oct 10 (AFP) - The Taliban was beating up United Nations employees in Afghanistan, a UN spokeswoman said Wednesday.
"The NGOs working with the United Nations

40 tonnes of aid arrive in northern Afghanistan: UNICEF
ASHKHABAD, Oct 10 (AFP) - A 40-tonne consignment of humanitarian aid supplied by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) arrived Wednesday in the northern Afghan town of Andkhoi after transiting via

Iran can set up camps in Afghanistan for refugees: Taliban
TEHRAN, Oct 10 (AFP) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia have given Iran the green light to erect camps inside some Taliban-controlled areas in case of a major influx of refugees from US and British

People burn US aid in eastern province: Taliban
KABUL, Oct 10 (AFP) - A Taliban militia official said Wednesday Afghans in the eastern province of Khost had burned US food aid rather than accept "satanic" gifts from the enemy.

Islamic Chief warns strikes must avoid civilians
By Rawhi Abeidoh
DOHA (Reuters) - The head of the world's biggest Islamic organization condemned the attacks on the United States but said as he opened an emergency meeting of the group on Wednesday that retaliation

U.S. Officials See Lengthy Afghan Aid Campaign
Wednesday October 10 8:27 PM ET
By John Whitesides WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials on Wednesday promised to lead a sustained effort to help starving Afghans battle the ravages of drought and the bitter onset of winter even

No imposed political dispensation in Afghanistan acceptable:
Musharraf Islamabad, Oct 10, IRNA - Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has said that no imposed political dispensation in Afghanistan will be acceptable.

No Pakistan-Taliban border clash: Envoy
Islamabad, Oct 10, IRNA - Taliban Wednesday said there has been no clash between Taliban soldiers and Pakistan's para-military troops along the Pak-Afghan border.

US commandos on way to Pakistan: Pak daily
Islamabad, Oct 10, IRNA -- Special operation helicopters of the U.S. army are on their way to an air base in Pakistan to launch a possible commando operation against Afghanistan, wrote a Pakistani daily on

Analysis: Central Asians defy jihad call
By Monica Whitlock in Dushanbe - bbc
The call from al-Qaeda for Muslims to join a holy war, or jihad, against the United States has met a mixed response in Afghanistan's Central Asian neighbours.

When Osama Met the Taliban
Posted Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001- Slate .com
As commandos and U.S. infantry enter Afghanistan and fan out in search of Osama Bin Laden and members of his al-Qaida group, they'll need timely and accurate intelligence to complete their mission.

Bush's Favorite Afghan
By Jacob Weisberg  - Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 SLATE.COM
A recent article in the New York Times about how college campuses are reacting to the World Trade Center attack cited a characteristic anti-war comment from the Vietnam era. Daniel Ellsberg