Fighting back. From the start, the
Administration warned that the war on terrorism would have no obvious endgame,
but liquidating Bin Laden and his top Al-Qaeda henchmen. Rumsfeld may have been
inviting Bin Laden to make a run for it. Bush also declared that it may take
three years or ten but they are going to get Bin Laden. Fighting back tears,
Bush vows that America will lead the World to victory over
terrorism , and also declares national emergency and gives
military authority to call 50.000 reservists to active duty.
Intelligence officials believe Bin Laden has
operatives in more than 50 countries. The biggest concentration is in about 30
camps scattered through out Afghanistan. For the moment, the Administration's
strategy is to move deliberately :
Put together an international coalition and present evidence of
Bin Laden's complicity to the U.N Security Council. The aim is to obtain a
resolution demanding that Bin Laden be turned over, and to autorize force
against him if he is not.
The President's Deputy Defense Secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, spoke
of a « broad and sustained campaign of ending state
regimes that sponsor terrorism39(*)» : One of the most effective option in
the long run is working to build consensus among the nations of the World to
stamp out terror networks where they have spread, country by country, mainly by
applying constant diplomatic pressure on host nations. The new Bush mantra to
the World : «You are either with us or against us 40(*) ».
Pakistani President acceded to a slew of Americans demands for
cooperation in return for a lifting of U.S sanction imposed after Pakistan's
1998 nuclear tests, Islamabad would share intelligence on Bin Laden and the
Taliban and provide assistance to American forces, including passage through
the country. Islamabad Foreign Minister said Pakistan would comply with all UN
Security Council resolutions to combat terrorism. Pakistan warned its tribal
chieftains that it would punish any one who gave sanctuary to Bin Laden.
Pakistan officials and American ground troops tightened their surveillance of
refugees flowing out Pakistan. The Taliban, it is expected will refuse any
demand to turn over Bin Laden to the Americans.
The Administration then has a number of available military
options.
Hunters stalked their prey from the sky with instruments of
death. The U.S military campaign has removed Bin Laden's sanctuary and degraded
his infrasctructure of terror. Pentagon sources say that the U.S.A have killed
as many as eight high ranking Al-Qaeda officials, but most of the 11.000
terrorists believed to have spent time in Al-Qaeda camps are still on the
loose.
In November 2001, armed with fresh intelligences reports on the
whereabout of key Taliban and Al-Qaeda figures, the Pentagon began attacking
buildings in Kabul and Kanohov in which they were believed to be hiding.
Rumsfeld declared he had seen « authoritative reports »
that the U.S.A had killed Atef and Al-Qaeda military chief. His elimination may
cripple Al-Qaeda's terror making machine. The American targeting of Atef also
serve to deliver a pointed message to to his boss.
Bands of local Afghan fighters whether driven by the desire to
rid their country of Bin Laden or win $ 25 millions bounty the U.S.A had placed
on his head, joined U.S special operations forces in the pursuit. Their orders
were to shoot to kill. All weeks American troops manned checkpoints on the road
running through former Taliban country seeking clues to Bin Laden's
coordinates.
Special ops commandos plied Taliban lieutnants on the leadership
penumbra with cash in exchange for secrets about Al-Qaeda leader's movements.
While the informants could not deliver the exact address, they knew the
neighbourhoods in which to look. Moreover the U.S.A and six of the World's
richest nations agree to produce coordinate plan to freeze the assets of all
terrorist organizations.
In the days that followed the attacks, a poll showed that 71% of
Americans favored an attack on terrorist bases, even if that meant a high
likelihood of civilian casualties. Howerver there is a political dilemma with
global implication :
- Delivering the attack many Americans hunger for and failing to
get many of the culprit might only demonstrate anew the U.S.A's impotence
against terrorism.
- Killing many innocent Muslims in the process would also enrage
the Arab World, possibly even toppling friendly Arab regimes and creating just
the sort of clash of civilization that Bin Laden wants.
- The White House wants to try terrorists in secret. President
Bush pointed Al-Qaeda members as criminals. Bush wonders whether to bring their
enemies to justice or bring justice to them. Last week Bush signed a military
order allowing foreign nationals suspected of terrorism to be judged by special
military tribunals. The proceedings may take place in the USA or abroad. The
defendant may not have access to the lawyer of their choice. There may have not
have provision for appeal. Execution are allowed...41(*)
No one in the Allies War Council believes Bin Laden's demise will
mean the end of Al-Qaeda, much less global terrorism, or that the Taliban's
desintegration will douse the flames of hatred in Afghanistan.
In fact, no matter what happens to the Bin Laden, Al-Qaeda still
has many tentacles and people of the terrorist network will continue to plan
and execute strikes against the West, vivifying Bin Laden's dreams of far-flung
struggle.
The terrorist attacks permanently altered America's self
identity. They must now embrace the global community they themselves built. It
is a farewell to Isolationism
