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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2001

Saudi Arabian exile Osama bin Laden has been singled out by the Bush administration as the key suspect in Tuesday's attacks on the United States that continue to keep a number of major cities and airports on high alert.

Despite the identification of bin Laden, the United States has no clear indication of his whereabouts, even though sources told The Washington Post the government has monitored him for at least three years. He is believed to still be in Afghanistan, but sources told the paper his training and support centers throughout the Middle East are empty -- possibly fearing an attack by the United States.

Nevertheless, President Bush has promised victory in "the first war of the 21st century." Domestic military forces are already being rallied. The nation, according to polls, overwhelmingly stands behind Bush in whatever action he may take.

After some negotiations, Congress approved $40 billion -- to be taken from this fiscal year 2001 funds -- to begin America's response to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The funds were approved as some senior members of Congress expressed reservations about giving Bush a "blank check" to lead the nation into war.

Half the $40 billion will be allocated to respond to the attacks and the other half to wage a campaign against those responsible for them.

Pakistan has expressed support to helping the United States, in some way, should Afghanistan be targeted. Pakistan neighbors the Taliban-controlled nation harboring bin Laden.

Vice President Dick Cheney has been moved to Camp David as a security measure.

Bush will visit New York City today to tour the remains of the World Trade Center as rescue workers fear the collapse of other nearby buildings, including the Hilton Millennium Hotel, located directly across the street. A number of other buildings have fallen.

Get the Story:
Bush Pledges Victory; Reagan National Closed Indefinitely (The Washington Post 9/14)
CIA's Covert War on Bin Laden (The Washington Post 9/14)
Pakistan Open to Some U.S. Requests for Help (The Washington Post 9/14)
A Vow to Erase Terrorist Networks — bin Laden Is Singled Out (The New York Times 9/14)
Rumsfeld Asks Call-Up of Reserves, as Many as 50,000 (The New York Times 9/14)
Agreement on $40 Million for Aid and a Response (The New York Times 9/14)
Bin Laden: Child of Privilege Who Champions Holy War (The New York Times 9/14)
Military Analysis: U.S. Force vs. Terrorists (The New York Times 9/14)
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