European crackdown on terror suspects yields arrests, first clues about networks

Associated Press

PARIS - In a coordinated effort to crack down on terror cells, police across Europe have arrested at least 20 people and shadowed dozens of others, piecing together the first clues of what may be a network of terror stretching across the continent and beyond.

Many of the suspects are believed to have links to Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States, authorities said. Some allegedly trained in camps in Afghanistan. Others are believed to have plotted attacks on American interests in Europe-including the U.S. Embassy in Paris.

No one has tied any of the suspects in Europe to the Sept. 11 attacks, but some were linked to one another. Spanish officials announced Wednesday that six Algerians with connections to other suspects had been detained.

Spanish Interior Minister Mariano Rajoy said the arrests marked "the collaboration against terrorism between all countries, particularly in this case between the countries of the European Union."

Spanish authorities said some of the Algerians had been in contact with one of the first terror suspects rounded up in Europe after the U.S. attacks-Nizar Trabelsi, a Tunisian arrested Sept. 13 in Belgium.

Jesse Jackson may meet with Taliban

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Colin Powell said Jesse Jackson would probably solve nothing by visiting Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia because the United States has nothing to negotiate.

"He is free to travel," Powell said yesterday. "I don't know what purpose would be served right now, since the position of the United States and the international community is quite clear."

Jackson is considering whether to lead a delegation to Taliban officials to try to persuade them to hand over Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The Taliban, believed to be harboring bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorist network, have refused to meet the Bush administration's demands.

The civil rights activist, minister and former presidential candidate said yesterday he does not know when he will decide on his plans.

Jackson said he does not want to go, but feels obligated, if he can, to try to free two American humanitarian workers, jailed by the Taliban along with six other foreign relief workers on charges of preaching Christianity.

Jackson said he received a telegram Wednesday from a Taliban spokesman inviting him to come to neighboring Pakistan to resolve the situation "in a way that preserves the dignity and integrity of all sides."

Arizona congressman says Luke Air Force Base more vital now

Associated Press

PHOENIX -With the United States likely headed into war, Arizona Congressman Bob Stump says Luke Air Force Base is becoming more vital since it's the nation's only F-16 fighter pilot training base.

The base, located west of Phoenix, also is the largest fighter wing in the Air Force.

"We've had a tremendous shortage of pilots even before this (Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the East Coast) happened," Stump said. "It's hard to compete for pilots because we've ended up being a training ground for the airlines."

Stump, a Republican who is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said the prospect of more base closures around the country is unlikely to affect Luke.

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has called for more base closures, saying the money saved could be used to streamline the armed forces and make them more efficient.

McCain has expressed his support for Luke and has advised supporters that they must stop residential encroachment on the base if they wish to save it.

The base injects about $2 billion per year into the local economy.

Luke is considered an ideal location for training fighter pilots because of its year-round flying weather and the fact that the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range is some 15 flying minutes away.