Military

DATE=12/11/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=POWELL / EUROPE (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-284168

BYLINE= LISA BRYANT

DATELINE=PARIS

CONTENT=

INTRO: U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell, nearing the end of a nine-nation

tour, stopped in France and England today (Tuesday) to talk with French and

British leaders about the next phase in the Afghan campaign: rebuilding the country.

As Lisa Bryant reports, while in England, Mr. Powell joined British Prime Minister

Tony Blair at a ceremony in honor of the victims of the September 11 attacks.

TEXT: Secretary of State Colin Powell marked the three-month anniversary of

the September 11 strikes in the United States at an observance in London, hosted

by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Shortly before, Mr. Powell was in Paris, meeting with French President

Jacques Chirac and Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine.

Mr. Powell's visit to Paris and London coincided with rising speculation in

Europe that Washington will extend its campaign against terrorism to suspected

terrorist targets in countries like Somalia or Iraq.

On Monday, Britain's top military officer, Admiral Michael Boyce, warned the

United Kingdom may end up in military operations that might, quote,

contradict national policy. He said Britain may have to decide whether to commit its

forces to Afghanistan, or to a broader campaign against terrorism.

But in Paris, Mr. Powell refused to speculate about what the next step in

the war against terrorism might be.

///POWELL ACT///

The President has made no decision as to what actions we should take in the

next phase of the campaign against terrorism, nor has he received any

recommendations as to what the next step should be and that specifically

includes Iraq.

///END ACT///

European governments are also concerned about the possible use of American

military tribunals to judge suspected terrorists. Standing next to Mr.

Powell, Mr. Vedrine reiterated France's opposition to what he termed exceptional

tribunals.

The U-S secretary, for his part, chose to emphasize areas of agreement

between Washington and its two European allies. He used the stops in Paris and

London to praise France and Britain for their willingness to participate in a

multinational security force to restore stability to Afghanistan. (SIGNED)

NEB/LB/KL