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Posted on 09/19/2001 10:48:30 PM PDT by MadIvan

TONY BLAIR flies for talks with President Bush in Washington today with the overwhelming backing of the public for tough action at home and abroad to strike back against mass terrorism.

A Gallup poll for The Telegraph shows almost unanimous support for internment to cope with a terrorist threat. Nine out of 10 of those questioned believed that people in this country aiding and abetting terrorists should be locked up.

The poll confirmed that there is virtually no support for peace campaigners who have opposed British involvement in any retaliatory action by the United States.

Only three per cent of the public believe America and its allies should refrain from military strikes in response to last week's attacks and only four per cent think Britain should distance itself completely from the US.

According to the poll, 70 per cent say that military action should be taken against countries believed to be helping America's terrorist enemies, with 20 per cent disagreeing.

The survey suggested, however, that the mood might change if Britain became embroiled in a full-scale war. Many people want to avoid civilian casualties from allied bombing and are nervous about the prospect of British forces suffering heavy losses.

The attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon have increased public anxiety about terrorism and many Britons think the country is effectively at war.

More than half of Britons confess to being "very worried" or "somewhat worried" that they or someone in their family might fall victim to a terrorist attack - almost the same proportion as in the US.

The survey will be seen in Downing Street as an endorsement of Mr Blair's reaction to the crisis - promising to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the US in bringing the culprits to account.

The strong support of the public will strengthen his role in building a world-wide coalition to dismantle international terror networks.

Mr Blair yesterday embarked on a hectic round of shuttle diplomacy, with visits to four countries in two and a half days.

He is seeking backing for far-reaching measures to identify the terrorist suspects, shut down their support networks and block their access to funds.

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, backed the introduction of new Europe-wide laws to combat terrorism, including plans for a European arrest warrant and tougher sentences.

He said that it was time for EU states to make "common cause" in the fight against terrorism. Ministers are focusing on closing networks that allow Islamic terror groups to operate in western countries, including Britain.

The Terrorism Act 2000 came into force last February and outlawed 21 groups in the UK, including al-Qa'eda, Egyptian Islamic Jihad and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Mr Blunkett gave a strong hint that a London-based radical Muslim was risking deportation by making veiled threats against the President of Pakistan.

Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed is leader of the Al-Muhajiroun group, which has issued a fatwa against President Musharraf for supporting the US.

"When we believe he is causing danger by inciting others to go out and take people's lives, we will go out and take action against him," Mr Blunkett said.

But Oliver Letwin, the Conservative home affairs spokesman, claims that such moves could be frustrated by the Human Rights Act.

It has restricted the Home Secretary's ability to deport those deemed to be a threat to national security and has made those decisions easier to challenge.

Mr Letwin wants a review of the Act and promises the Government "full co-operation and assistance".

Writing in The Telegraph today he says: "If our law prevents the Home Secretary from taking action to deport those who constitute an international threat, we should remedy the situation."

Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, challenged Switzerland to relax its traditional banking secrecy in order to ensure there was "no hiding place" for terrorist money.

The Treasury has already closed an account at a branch of Barclays, in Notting Hill, west London. The account, which had not been used for some time, is thought to have belonged to a person with links to Osama bin Laden.

Financial institutions have been given a list of suspects the Government wants them to investigate.

Britannia arises, and stands with you America. As I say, wait until the SAS lads who have trained in Northern Pakistan get in there.

Regards, Ivan

This then, my lords and gentlemen, is the message which we send forth today to all states and nations, bound or free, to all the men in all the lands who care for freedom's cause. To our Allies and well-wishers in Europe, to our American friends and helpers drawing ever closer in their might across the ocean, this is the message-lift up your hearts, all will come right. Out of depths of sorrow and sacrifice will be born again the glory of mankind. - Winston Churchill, 1941

LET US GO FORWARD TOGETHER

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