Hindustan Times

How, where will Osama strike now? Indrajit Hazra (New Delhi, October 8)

American intelligence has warned that apart from the US, three other most likely targets of terrorist attacks after yesterday's bombings on Afghanistan would be Britain, Russia and India. In terms of security measures, these countries present themselves as 'softer targets' than the relatively alert US and a perenially fortified Israel. The prospects of a bin Laden-inspired attack is said to be "100 per cent", but where and when it will take place is anybody's guess.

The television image of bin Laden dressed in fatigues warning Americans that "they will never feel safe again" has sent a chill down the spine of the international community. In a parody of President Bush's "either-you're-with-us-or-you're-against-us" line, the Saudi mastermind stated "these events (September 11 attacks on America) have split the world into two camps - the camps of belief and the camps of disebelief". Yesterday he called on all Muslims - including those residing in the countries fighting against his terror machine -- to wage a war against 'infidels'.

Unlike the attacks on the WTC and Pentagon (which bin Laden continues to maintain that he had nothing to do with), the promised terrorist attacks will be posed as 'acts of self-defence' against the bombings on Afghanistan. Both the Taliban and bin Laden have reiterated that they will strike only in self-defence - as allowed by the Koran. With the excuse of retaliation now available, Muslim fundamentalist groups are likely to pull out all stops to launch further attacks.

Speaking moments before bin Laden in the video clip aired by the Arabic satellite TV station Al-Jazeera, the leader of the Egyptian Islamic Jehad, Ayman al-Zawahiri, went on to compare the imminent battle under the leadership of bin Laden with Prophet Mohammad's fight against the infidels in Medina.

The US administration is aware of the higher risks America now faces. "That prospect, however, cannot deter the US from going on the offensive", said Senator Bob Graham, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, on ABC's This Week.

Senate minority leader Trent Lott, said, however, that in the absence of specific threats against Americans, people cannot do much to protect themselves.

"I don't know when or where or how but you can just about believe that there are going to be more attacks. To lull the American people to sleep... would be a terrible thing to do,” he said.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001