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Last Update: October 7, 2001 |
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Afghanistan Counts Dead After U.S.-Led Attack KABUL (Reuters) - Kabul counted the dead Monday from a night of thunderous U.S.-led air attacks on Taliban targets while thousands fled the Afghan capital in fear of more strikes by the world's most modern military. The Taliban ambassador to Pakistan told Reuters the raids, which he described as "horrendous terrorist attacks," had killed at least 20 people across the country, including women and children living near Kabul airport. The official Voice of Shariat radio said Kabul had suffered neither casualties nor material damage and the army's morale was boosted. The cabinet of the ruling hard-line Taliban called an emergency meeting in Kabul to discuss the crisis, but officials said no details were available. Taliban officials said three people were killed and at least four injured in three air raids on the fundamentalist movement's southern Afghan stronghold of Kandahar, home of its spiritual leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, the protector of Osama bin Laden. Thousands of Kabul residents, fearing more attacks after three waves of bombing in the night, packed up what they could and fled the capital as dawn broke and the nightly curfew was lifted. Taliban officials said Saudi-born fugitive bin Laden -- the prime suspect in the September 11 attacks in the United States -- had escaped unscathed along with Mullah Omar. When asked if the two were alive, Taliban Ambassador to Pakistan Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef said: "Thanks be to God." He said initial estimates from across the country placed the death toll at 20. "Houses were hit near Kabul airport and women and children were killed," he told Reuters, adding that details were still coming in. As Kabul mosques opened for early morning prayers, calls rose for a jihad (holy war) against America. "We have to sacrifice ourselves for our country and Islam," was the call at one mosque. The United States and its allies unleashed a series of stunning air attacks on Taliban targets across the country late Sunday, including at least three in Kabul, at the start of Washington's military retaliation for harboring bin Laden. Afghan Islamic Press, based in the Pakistani frontier city of Peshawar, reported that 10 people were killed near Kabul airport on the northeastern edge of the city and another 10 died when a bomb fell near the official Voice of Shariat radio station. But the radio, located in central Kabul, reported in its morning news bulletin: "There has not been any human or material damage yet." The radio praised the pro-Taliban army and said it would "defend its Muslim nation and each meter of the country to its last breath of life." THREE WAVES OF BOMBING Witnesses said the first planes roared over the capital at around 9:20 p.m. (1620 GMT) Sunday, soon after a nightly curfew took effect, and lit up the night sky by dropping bombs or firing missiles at targets of the hard-line ruling Taliban in the city and near the airport. Two more waves followed over the next few hours as U.S. and British forces launched millions of dollars worth of missiles and rockets from air and sea at key Taliban targets in one of the world's least developed countries. As dawn broke in Kabul, residents began emerging nervously from their homes following what one described as a night of terror. "Only God knows what has happened," said one resident. "I am leaving. I will sleep under the sky rather than stay in the city for another night." An old disabled man at a bus station said he was too frightened to stay in a city that has seen large areas reduced to rubble in more than 20 years of war. "We are leaving because it is no longer safe here -- thanks to America," he said. "We just want to leave the city since no one slept last night," another man said. But many people tried to resume their normal daily life, opening their shops, while Taliban guards were in their normal positions outside government offices. Taliban forces in Kabul fired volleys of anti-aircraft fire into the night sky in response to the air raids -- to little apparent effect. Electricity went off almost immediately, although it was not clear if this was a result of a strike or a defensive measure. It was restored about 90 minutes later. Minutes after the strikes on Kabul, the Taliban's stronghold of Kandahar also came under attack, provoking a mass exodus from the city, residents told Reuters. The eastern city of Jalalabad and surrounding guerrilla training camps were next, and there were reports that western Herat as well as the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif came under fire. There were no immediate reports of casualties. "CAREFULLY TARGETED" ATTACK President Bush called the raids "carefully targeted actions" that were "designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations and to attack the military capability of the Taliban regime." Witnesses saw planes streaking over the western Pakistan city of Quetta, using Islamabad's promise to open its airspace. In Kandahar, residents reported panic in the city, the Taliban's spiritual stronghold and headquarters of Mullah Omar, protector of the multi-millionaire militant bin Laden. A second wave of attacks launched about two hours later appeared aimed at the home of Mullah Omar. A residential area in Kandahar where bin Laden once lived was also struck. One Taliban source told Reuters by telephone from Kandahar that the main airport complex, built by the United States in the 1950s, had been hit in the raid, but the runway was undamaged. The United States had been threatening since mid-September to attack the Taliban unless they handed over bin Laden. The attacks on Kabul could be seen from territory 40 km (25 miles) to the north held by the anti-Taliban Afghan opposition, the Northern Alliance. At Topdara, the Northern Alliance took advantage of the U.S. air strikes on Kabul to fire volleys of rockets on the Taliban Monday and said they planned heavier attacks, witnesses said. Anti-Taliban fighters on the front line burst into song as orange flashes of anti-aircraft fire appeared over the capital. The attacks ended weeks of maneuvering by the Taliban over what to do about their "guest" bin laden. Sunday, their envoy to Pakistan said the Taliban were ready to try him if the United States provided evidence of his guilt -- an offer immediately rejected by Washington. Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ]  Kytie Koekblik ColumnKytie Koekblik Washington D.C. - 6 Oktober 2001. Dis al amper ‘n maand na terroriste attacks. Die government het nog nie ‘n volskaalse oorlog begin nie; Osama Bin Laden kruip nog iewers weg in die berge van Afghanistan en ek het nog nie ‘n gasmask gekoop nie of my laat immuniseer teen bioterrorisme nie. Life goes on of hoe. Die soapies gaan aan op TV; op die “Real World” praat hulle nogsteeds oor hulle inner konflikte en daai klein probleempies - die molshopies in jou lewe - lyk alweer soos berge wat al jou energie consume. Hoe gaan die lewe aan? Watter soort changes het regtig plaasgevind? Bo en behalwe die feit dat ons almal steeds elke dag angstig die nuus kyk en dat alle gesprekke van bars tot gym steeds ‘n draai gaan maak by die 11de September en die nuwe war on terrorism. Dit is wat my soms die hartseerste maak. Die nuwe normaliteit. Die Amerikaners wat nou ook gedesentiseer is. Die knaende gevoel dat iets onherroeplik in hierdie wereld verander het. Die klein rooiliggies wat oral flash: Die rand wat geval het tot R9, 41; die toue waarin jy nou staan by die lughawe; daai effense paniek as jy soms in ‘n moltrein sit en die trae gesigte rondom jou dophou want wie is die terrorist? Who’s the bad guy? In Suid-Afrika het ek altyd sekere plekke vermy. Soos highways in die nag. Of om girl alleen in parke rond te stap. En om publieke transport te gebruik. Ek het sekere maatreels probeer tref om my eie safety te verseker. Ek het altyd my voordeur gesluit; die venster dig getrek en die alarms ge-aktiveer. Daai soort safety meganismes het nie my veiligheid verseker nie, maar dit het my ‘n soort control oor my eie destiny gegee - miskien ‘n soort mental fools paradise - maar at least het jy gedoen wat jy kon en gehoop jou beskerm-engeltjie werk oortyd. Ek klim nog op my subway in die oggend, ek kom in werk toe soos enige ander oggend; ek gaan eet uit in restaurante en hang-uit saam met vriende; ek raak opgewonde oor nuwe CDs en projekte en ek stel my visier op sukses. Tog is ek nog nie dieselfde persoon as wat ek voor die 11de September was nie. En al hoekom ek hieroor skryf hierdie week, is omdat ek weet daar moet honderde en duisende en miljoene ander gewone mense in hierdie land en in die wereld for that matter wees, wat ook nie goed slaap nie; wat ook nie meer met subways werk toe ry soos my housemate nie; wat ook wonder of daar nie dalk ‘n terorris langs jou op die Ride On bus sit nie. Ons het miskien nie almal geliefdes verloor in die tragedie nie, maar jy hoef nie ‘n geliefde te verloor het om ook ‘n gevoel van loss te ervaar nie. Dis ‘n comfortzone wat vernietig is.In hierdie tye soek ons almal seker maar warmte en liefde van die mense rondom jou. Ek voel besonder geisoleerd en alleen met tye. Ek hoor vanoggend op die TV hulle praat van “Disaster Sex” en ‘n moontlike “Baby Boom”omdat mense glo na mekaar uitgereik het in ure van benoudheid en paniek en hartseer. Ook my alewige idealisme ‘n soort finale knou gekry. Skielik is dit asof ek besef, ek lewe en is nie invincible nie; en mense kan nie getrust en net liefgehe word nie. Ek het nog altyd geprobeer om nie judgemental te wees nie en die motivering agter mense se dade raak te sien. Hierdie situasie call vir judgement. Meer as 6000 mense is dood; miljoene mense is in pyn en hartseer; jobs word verloor; die wereld-ekonomie het ‘n knou weg. 19 mense wat ‘n hele wereld orde kon versteur. Ek verstaan dit nie, ek wil dit nie verstaan nie, ek wil dit judge. Kytie K. Kytie Koekblik would like you to respond to her tongue-in-cheek running commentary on suburban life in America in this editorial. Fresh off the boat, she is ready to explore and experiment with American bath plugs and to drive on the other side of the road. You can contact her here. © RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ] SA government in wait-and-see stance The South African government said it had "taken note" of the military strikes against targets in Afghanistan in response to the terrorist attacks in the US. "At this stage the details of the military strikes, including the nature of the targets, are still sketchy," Foreign Affairs official Ronnie Mamoepa said on Sunday night. The government was in touch with the US government "and other role-players". South Africa would continue to monitor developments before issuing a comprehensive statement, Mamoepa said. Presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo referred all queries to the Foreign Affairs Department, saying it was handling the matter. The Democratic Alliance said the attacks were likely to be supported by "people of goodwill", provided that military installations of the Taliban were targeted. "One hopes that innocent civilians will not have to pay too high a price for the criminal actions of the Taliban," said DA spokesperson Douglas Gibson. There was no official reaction from the Muslim Judicial Council, but its secretary-general, Sheik Achmat Sedick, expressed outrage at the attacks in his personal capacity. "It's unfair that they are waging a war against Afghanistan. There will be unnecessary loss of life. It's not a war against terrorism. They (America) declared Afghanistan a terrorist state for their convenience." The Muslim Youth Movement in SA condemned the attacks "in the strongest terms" as "nothing but terrorism" and said it supported "an international anti-capitalist, anti-war coalition against the new round of terrorism. "This is not a war against terrorism as George Bush and his lackeys would like to call it; it is the beginning of a massacre for the basest and vilest of reasons - revenge." US embassy spokesperson Judy Moon said last night she had not received an official confirmation about the attack. Wits University international relations department head Professor John Stremmler said the attacks by the US and Britain were aimed at pushing the Taliban out of power. Mogale Mashiyapata, of the Institute for Multiparty Democracy, said: "Afghanistan is a victim of emotional blackmail, and the Americans have to assert themselves as a superpower by launching an attack." Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ] Pagad escapers thwarted costly security boost Security for judges, magistrates and state prosecutors involved in urban terror cases is to be reassessed at a high-level security meeting on Monday after the escape of seven Pagad members from custody on Thursday. Pagad G-Force escapers Ebrahim Jeneker, his brother-in-law Anees Adams, Moegamat Zain Cornelissen and Nasrudien Gamieldien were recaptured after quick and dramatic police action stretching from the city centre to Athlone and Rondebosch East. Jeneker was shot in a leg. His co-accused Abdullah Maansdorp, and G-Force members Abubaker Jacobs and Moneeb Pietersen were still on the run on Sunday night. Justice Department regional head Hishaam Mohamed said his department had just spent R6-million on implementing special security measures at the Cape High Court and five other magistrate's courts where urban terror cases are being heard. Existing security measures were strengthened during the upgrade, while new mechanisms were installed to take on the dangers posed by urban terror-related cases. "We are responsible for protecting our buildings and our personnel. A number of security measures have been fast-tracked because of the high-risk nature of these cases," Mohamed said. The men escaped from the holding cells - adjacent to the Cape High Court building - during lunchtime on Thursday. "The holding cells are not under our jurisdiction. But we are prepared to offer additional security measures to the police who are responsible for the cells," Mohamed said. Since the spate of death threats and attacks on the judiciary, the Justice Department has formed a forum which meets regularly to assess the safety of judges, magistrates and state prosecutors. At Monday's meeting, the forum will re-evaluate the safety of personnel attached to terror cases. Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ]  Nel's KitchenRagel Nel Ragel Nel Washington D.C. - Possibly because I live in America now, a question I hear quite often is: "Have you ever seen any celebrities?" "Yes," I'll reply nonchalantly. "Reeeeaaaaally?" At this point the listener is hanging onto my every word. "Who and where?" "This girl, I forget her name. Every time I look in the mirror." Drum-rolls and laughter from the audience. Okay, seriously though. I HAVE. Even though Washington D.C. isn't exactly a normal hot bed for celebrity activity. (Because I don't count politicians as celebrities. Not even Gary Condit. But we'll let George "Dubya" slide into celebrity status along with all the former U.S. Presidents.) For one, Washington D.C. is geographically too far removed from Hollywood where stargazers have an unfair advantage over the rest of the civilized world. Including New York City, because even though the Big Apple is the setting for many an elaborate celluloid production, and even the (expensive, very expensive) home of some celebrities, New York's weather is simply too harsh for most of the delicate drama kings and queens. Most of them still prefer sunny California. But sometimes, if you happen to be anywhere else (like in D.C. or New York) and if you are lucky and your timing is just right, you may just be in time to catch a fleeting glimpse of a star or starlet in the latest trendy eatery or club. Otherwise you have to rely on All American high-days, holidays, or star-studded charity benefits. Lots of those, right? The trick is getting invited. If not officially, then invite yourself. We'll get to that one later. The All American holiday thing is easier to pull off. See to it that you are in Washington D.C. on the fourth of July. Arrive early in the morning, secure yourself a nice spot on the Capital's South lawn and douse up on sunscreen with 100 UV protection (D.C. gets hot and humid that time of year). Then you wait for the nationally televised live and outdoor performance perhaps starring a celebrity or two. There is a catch, because usually the 'real' modern day celebrities have better things to do on the fourth, then the organizers only manage to scrape together guys and gals who are a tad past their prime. Example: during the first performance I attended, the musical stars were the Temptations (even performed that sizzler, "My Girl") and the master of ceremonies was Tony Danza, before his network television career got a third breath with that new law series. The last resort is a benefit. Unfortunately the chance of a mere mortal to be invited to one of those is slim to none. (Unless you are a mere mortal with a truckload of dollars, in which case your status of being a mere mortal can also be disputed.) It's much better to accidentally come across one. Really. That's what happened to me. Scatter-brained, South African me. Every afternoon there are free performances at the Kennedy Centre's Millennium Stage. One Sunday, during the Clinton Administration, I strolled in to catch a flute performance. I probably should've been suspicious upon entering the building onto a rolled out red carpet surrounded by a mass of television reporters and cameras. (Was that my five seconds of almost fame? If so, I'm sure it would have felt better if those reporters didn't look so incredibly bored and indifferent by my presence.) Slightly puzzled but still undeterred (thick-skinned?), I proceeded down the carpet. Suddenly an efficient usher appeared and in a brisk tone inquired whether I was there for the free performance. (Yes, alas, it was THAT obvious.) Yes I was, I said, and asked what else was going on. Said usher gave me a once over and made the critical, split-second decision on whether it was safe to disclose any important information to me. I obviously looked harmless enough. "The Kennedy Centre is honouring a few people in the entertainment industry." With that juicy little tidbit, I was promptly removed from the scene and ushered into the theatre for the freebie concert. But who on earth can sit through an entire free concert knowing that Greatness is just a few walls away? Not me, of course. So I bailed. And got lost. And suddenly I found myself BACK STAGE to the gala event, brushing against glittering name-bearers like Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn (only for a brief moment, before they were whisked away to appear on stage), Goldie Jr. (a.k.a. Kate Hudson and her then fiancé now husband Chris something-or-other), Morgan Freeman, Gregory Hines, Donald Sutherland (with snow white long hair. He SMILED AT ME!), a whole line of handsome chorus boys in top hats and a host of others whose names I was simply too star-struck to remember at that time. So, when I'm asked if I've ever seen any celebrities, I simply smile mysteriously and modestly reply: "Yes, a few." © RSA-Overseas [ Top ] 'Matrics caught cheating will be jailed' With a week to go before the start of matric examinations, the Gauteng Education Department has warned potential cheats that they face imprisonment for two years if they are caught. Education MEC Ignatius Jacobs on Sunday outlined preparations for the exams, which start next Monday and end on November 27. He said there had been no leakages of exam papers for the past three years, although some bogus exam papers had been sold. Marking will start on December 1 and be completed by December 10, while results, which will be released on December 27, can be accessed from schools and examination centres, the media, and the website www.education.gpg.gov.za Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ] |
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