Britain’s Blair says no doubt terror suspect Osama bin Laden behind U.S. attacks

By Barry Renfrew

Associated Press

LONDON – Prime Minister Tony Blair revealed details Thursday of the case against Osama bin Laden, saying three hijackers have been “positively identified” as associates and that the terror suspect told other cohorts he was preparing a major operation in the United States.

Speaking to a special session of Parliament, Blair said there was evidence directly implicating bin Laden and his al-Qaida network in the Sept. 11 attacks and other incidents. A dossier with some of the evidence was given to lawmakers, but Blair said there was other evidence “of a more direct nature” that could not be disclosed for security reasons.

“We have absolutely no doubt that bin Laden and his network were responsible for the attacks on Sept. 11,” he told the hushed session.

The prime minister indicated military action was likely, but gave no hint when it would happen.

“We are now approaching the difficult time when action is taken. It will be difficult, there are no easy options,” he said.

Blair said three of the 19 hijackers involved in the attacks on New York and Washington had been “positively identified as known associates of bin Laden.” One played a key role in the 1998 attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and last year’s attack on the U.S. warship Cole.

The individuals were not identified in Blair’s speech or in the documents given to Parliament. They documents said one of bin Laden’s “closest and most senior associates,” also not identified, was responsible for detailed planning of the Sept. 11 attacks.

“Most importantly, one of bin Laden’s closest lieutenants has said clearly that he helped with the planning of the 11 September attacks and has admitted the involvement of the al-Qaida organization,” Blair said.

He said intelligence reports show bin Laden told associates shortly before Sept. 11 that he had a major operation against America under preparation, warning cohorts to return to Afghanistan because of the action.

Blair also said bin Laden’s involvement was clear in a series of attacks on U.S. targets in recent years.

He said every effort must be made to bring bin Laden to justice and vowed that would be achieved.

The dossier given to Parliament was also posted on the prime minister’s Web site.

Blair repeated his earlier warnings to Afghanistan’s Taliban regime that it must hand over bin Laden and dismantle his camps in that country or become the enemy of the coalition being formed against terrorism.

“The Taliban must yield them up or become our enemy also,” he said.

Blair warned that all Western nations faced the threat of terrorist attack and must unite to form a common defense.

“We will not act for revenge. We will act because for the protection of our people and our way of life, including confidence in our economy, we need to eliminate the threat bin Laden and his terrorism represent,” he said.

Blair confirmed that he would fly to Moscow later Thursday to meet President Vladimir Putin as part of the diplomatic effort to solidify a coalition against terrorism.

“What we have encountered is an unprecedented level of solidarity and commitment to work together against terrorism. This is a commitment that spans all continents, cultures and religions, reinforced by attacks like the one on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in Srinagar which killed over 30 innocent people,” Blair said.

Militants detonated a car bomb Monday outside the legislature in Srinigar, India, and attacked the building. Jaish-e-Mohammed, a group based in Pakistan, claimed responsibility.

Blair said the international coalition was gaining strength daily.

“The coalition is strong. Military plans are robust. The humanitarian plans are falling into place,” he said.

The British prime minister stressed the importance of matching any future military action with aid to rebuild Afghanistan, ravaged by more than 20 years of war. He expressed strong support for the people of Afghanistan.

Last month’s attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have lent a new intensity to the relationship between Britain and the United States, and Blair is its most fervent advocate. Public reaction was strongly behind Blair and the historic alliance with the United States that Britons call the “special relationship.”