Europe pledges forces to U.S.

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, OCT. 8. At the headquarters of the 19-nation Western military alliance of NATO, the debate about the logistical and military consequences of the U.S. and British forces' air assault on targets in Afghanistan, has been overshadowed by that on the impact such the assault may have on the unfolding scenario in Afghanistan.

It is argued that Afghanistan is neither Yugoslavia, Bosnia or Kosovo, regions of previous NATO attacks, and there is speculation about the targets the allies are seeking in the barren and geographically hostile landscape of Afghanistan. The Western allies' current strategy is to first destabilise the ``barbarous and unacceptable'' ruling clique of Taliban and facilitate capture ``dead or alive'' of the Saudi dissident and terrorist leader, Osama bin Laden. ``We only hope we are not firing a cannon to catch a rat,'' quipped a European analyst who worries about countless NATO bombing missions in the recent Balkan wars which failed and went astray.

Despite such forebodings, European Governments have thrown their full political and military support behind the U.S.-led attacks. Germany, Australia and France have pledged military personnel and war planes as the military operation in Afghanistan unfolds. America's European allies, Japan, Australia and non-Muslim Asian nations have reaffirmed unqualified backing for the U.S. offensive to fight the menace of global terrorism.

Russia was advised about the attacks last evening, minutes before they were unleashed. The American officials, in advance formally notified the 15 nations of the European Union. The NATO allies today agreed to deploy electronic surveillance aircraft - AWACs - over the U.S. to provide anti-terrorism protection.

According to a NATO statement today, the deployment of 17 AWACs surveillance and control aircraft based in Germany, grows out of a unanimous NATO decision ``to provide a NATO presence and demonstrate resolve''. It is noted that NATO allies also used AWACs over Bosnia and Kosovo to assist in air operations like targeting and air-defence vigilance. According to NATO observers, in military terms the initial air strikes may well prove to be easiest part of the allied mission. The latest American missiles are equipped with very accurate satellite-guided warheads which are expected to ``finish off'' the Taliban's ammunition dumps and fuel depots, which are used to power their armoured force, which consist of 50 ageing and poorly maintained Soviet-build tanks. According to NATO analysts, the Taliban's primitive military technology consists of sensing equipment to detect movement in Afghanistan's rugged mountains. This may have a ``nuisance value'' but does not pose any military challenge and its liquidation is possible for satellite-guided warheads.

According to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement, Afghanistan has become an ``international centre of terrorism and extremism and a haven for terrorists responsible for crimes in many countries. It is time for decisive action with this evil.''

Turkey is a secular nation and the only Muslim country in the NATO alliance and is an aspiring member of the European Union. Mr. Bulent Ecevit, the Prime Minister of Turkey said: ``Turkey supports the United States as a responsible ally and friend against terrorism.'' Mr Ecevit's statement was issued after a three-hour emergency meeting of senior politicians, military chiefs of staff and heads of intelligence agencies. With a predominantly Muslim population, Turkey has stepped up security at home and abroad.

In major NATO capitals there is also much speculation about the next wave of terrorist attack with fears of germ warfare or ``biological terrorism''. Attention is hence focused on mainly two threats - anthrax and smallpox and both are rated as highly lethal for inflicting mass casualties.

In the event of such ``biological terrorism'' the death toll could run into lakhs if not thousands. Government officials are working on various strategic options. It is also argued that the likelihood of biological attack by terrorists is ``very remote'' given the technical difficulties of acquiring and spreading the organisms.

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Section  : International
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