Military

DATE=09/25/01

TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST

TITLE=TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS

NUMBER=6-12473

BYLINE=ANDREW GUTHRIE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS

TELEPHONE=619-3335

CONTENT=

INTRO: The announcement Monday by President George W. Bush of an assault on the funding sources of Islamic terrorists worldwide captures the lion's share of editorial commentaries in Tuesday's American press.

Other topics related to the campaign against the terrorists include thoughts about Afghanistan and Pakistan. The expanded law enforcement versus civil liberties debate continues; as does a discussion of airline economics and security; and more complaints against attacks on Arab and Islamic Americans. Now, here is ___________with a closer look and some excerpts in today's U-S Editorial Digest.

TEXT: President George W. Bush has ordered U-S banks to freeze any assets belonging to Osama bin Laden and his associates. He also threatened retaliation to foreign banks operating here which did not do likewise. Tuesday's press is overwhelmingly favorable. The Augusta Chronicle says the president is using a lesson learned during the Watergate scandal.

VOICE: Follow the money. The war against terrorism began with a flourish of a pen, when George W. Bush signed [his] executive order... This is a new kind of war, to be fought economically and in swat-team style...with strange global alliances...unlike any war we have ever witnessed.

TEXT: California's San Jose Mercury News cautions however, that the freezing:

VOICE: ...in itself will be a largely symbolic gesture, since they [terrorists] aren't likely to be harboring substantial assets in America. But he also told foreign banks that refuse to help that they risk losing the right to do business in America.

TEXT: The Detroit [Michigan] Free Press adds, it:

VOICE: ...will be as essential to success as the diplomatic and military campaigns, but less visible and no easier to achieve. Terrorists have learned to hide their money as well as their weapons.

TEXT: In Texas, The Austin American-Statesman says the president is "right on target in attacking the monetary lifeline..." while in Wisconsin, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the move "could prove to be even more powerful than bombs, missiles and fighting men in bringing down Osama bin Laden..."

Turning to the international call for assistance by the United States, there are several commentaries. Saudi Arabia, beneficiary of U-S military aid during the Gulf War is excoriated by today's Greensburg [Pennsylvania] Tribune Review for refusing to allow U-S retaliatory strikes from its soil.

VOICE: This is outrageous. That the Saudis have chosen to become the proverbial "fair-weather friends" in fighting what should be another common enemy should force this nation to re-evaluate just who its "friends" are...

TEXT: In Minnesota, the Minneapolis Star Tribune says the small group of anti-Taleban Afghans called the Northern Alliance will now become crucial to the U-S effort.

VOICE: ...the Northern Alliance and its political leader, Burhanuddin Rabbani, are the legitimate government of Afghanistan, recognized by most nations of the world and in possession of Afghanistan's seat in the United Nations. Working with the Northern Alliance, an indigenous Muslim force, gives added legitimacy to U-S efforts.

TEXT: Turning to U-S ally Pakistan, and the embattled government of General Pervez Musharraf, facing large pro-Taliban elements, The Kansas City [Missouri] Star suggests:

VOICE: The situation in Pakistan ... is of far greater concern than many Americans realize. The United States should provide the Pakistani government with whatever assistance it needs to ensure that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are not somehow seized by opponents of the government. In addition, Washington should support ... General ...Musharraf so his government is not overthrown...

TEXT: The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch warns the Bush administration to beware of some of the unintended consequences of past Middle Eastern "victories" such as supporting the Afghan Mujahedeen against the Soviets. They, the Post-Dispatch warns the White House, spawned our current enemy, the Taleban.

Domestically, as calls for better intelligence to head off future attacks continue, there is growing concern about the infringement of civil liberties for all. For instance, today's Saint Petersburg [Florida] Times says: "Congress needs to slow down on passing an anti-terrorism legislative package and allow lawmakers more time to address some of their constitutional concerns."

USA Today, the national daily from a Washington, D-C suburb, points out another problem, the competing bureaucracies within the federal government.

VOICE: The government is so massive that the problem almost defies solution. Before defeating terrorists, [Pennsylvania Governor Tom] Ridge [named to head the cabinet-level Homeland Defense Agency] and [President] Bush must devise a plan to overcome a chain of federal bureaucracies ... notoriously impervious to change.

TEXT: The Chicago Tribune decries the decision to leave Washington's Reagan National Airport closed for the time being, because it is so close to the White House, Pentagon and other key buildings. Says the Trib:

VOICE: ... a closed Reagan National will not make the capital safe. The Pentagon was hit by a plane that departed from Dulles International Airport in Virginia, which is [currently] open.

TEXT: Continued anger and disgust is being voiced in editorials by attacks on U-S residents of Islamic or Arabic descent. In Tacoma, [Washington State's] News Tribune says "foolish ignorance fuels abuse of Arabs."

VOICE: Any country with a population approaching 300 million is bound to have its share of hateful idiots. But America's Arab-and-Muslim-bashers have now become a direct threat to this nation's attempt to combat international terrorism.

/// OPT /// The attacks on Sikhs in particular are as confused as they are shameful. ... But Sikhs don't even have a geographical connection to Arab militants; they come from India... ... They not only are not Muslims, they have a long history of conflict with Islam.

/// END OPT ///

TEXT: As regards airport and airline security, The Atlanta [Georgia] Constitution says "The federal government must take over airport security because the public demands it..." In Texas, The Dallas Morning News, noting the increasing strain on the domestic airline industry, reminds all of the importance of passenger trains. "The attacks should stimulate citizens and politicians to consider improving the national passenger rail system so that it becomes a viable ... alternative to the airlines."

And lastly, some words of sorrow over the passing of extraordinary violinist Issac Stern from the San Francisco Chronicle in his hometown.

VOICE: ...[Mr.] Stern -- one of the 20th century's greatest violinists -- combined his love for music with his passionate commitment to humanitarian causes. ... Now, as we search for our own reconciliation and renewal, we can turn to the great performances he played ... with such spirited passion and love.

TEXT: With that we conclude this sampling of editorials from Tuesday's U-S press.

NEB/ANG/RH