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Posted on 11/01/2001 5:06:00 PM PST by Pokey78

OSAMA BIN LADEN called on Pakistan's Muslims to rise up against President Musharraf yesterday. His first public comments for three weeks were seen as a response to the intensification of US-led efforts to overthrow the Taliban.

As America increased its carpet bombing and sent more special forces into Afghanistan, bin Laden urged his followers in Pakistan to confront "the Christian crusade against Islam", al-Jazeera television reported.

In a letter to the station, bin Laden wrote: "O Muslim brothers in Pakistan, civilian and military, God's peace and mercy be upon you. The crusade against Islam is intensifying and [the prophet] Mohammad's followers in Afghanistan are being slaughtered.

"The world has split into two camps: a camp under the banner of the Cross, as the chief of the infidels [President] Bush said, and another under the banner of Islam. The government of Pakistan has chosen to stand under the banner of the Cross.

The letter ended: "O supporters of Islam, this is the time to rise to the defence of Islam. Those who believe in God and the day of judgment should not hesitate to defend right and vanquish evil."

It was the first communication from bin Laden since a video shown on Oct 7, immediately after the allied bombing campaign began. Although the letter was unsigned, the Gulf-based al-Jazeera station has been the conduit used by bin Laden to publicise his views.

The use of a faxed letter was seen as reflecting his fear that US intelligence would be able to pick up radiation from electronic equipment such as video cameras.

Bin Laden's attempt to foment insurrection in Pakistan followed the US decision to abandon plans to wait until a broad-based Afghan government was put together before mounting an all-out assault on Taliban positions.

Last week's capture and execution by the Taliban of Abdul Haq, seen as a key player in the negotiations, put paid to any idea that such a coalition could be put together before winter. The Taliban last night claimed that its forces were on the trail of Hamid Karzai, a key tribal leader and supporter of the former King Zahir Shah.

Donald Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary, dismissed the suggestion that the military campaign had been constrained by the attempts to set up a broad-based coalition.

American B-52s again dropped "long sticks" of bombs on Taliban front lines in a move reminiscent of the carpet bombing of Cambodia and Iraq. Jets also destroyed a hydroelectric power plant. The raids have previously avoided targeting the civilian infrastructure in an attempt to preserve it for the use of a post-Taliban government.

Three huge explosions were heard when US jets raided Kabul last night, the first attack on the capital since Sunday. Mr Rumsfeld said he wanted the number of special forces teams operating alongside the Northern Alliance to be quadrupled "as soon as humanly possible".

The US troops are acting as advisers to the opposition forces and as forward air controllers, directing US bombers on to their targets. The bombing raids were most effective in areas where special forces operated, Mr Rumsfeld said. A number of special forces teams were "cocked and ready to go".

There would have been more inside Afghanistan, he added, but for problems with the weather and, on one occasion, heavy ground fire. "We are going to be adding people to have a reasonable cluster of American special forces who are able to be in there, serve as liaison, assist with the communication, assist with the targeting."

There were increased moves to strengthen coalition forces and bases in central Asia. Turkey and the Czech Republic said they were committing ground forces to the alliance. The Turkish contingent is particularly significant as it will provide the first Muslim troops for the campaign.

Mr Rumsfeld embarks today on a tour of countries in the region including Oman and Uzbekistan which are seen as key bases for allied aircraft and equipment.

Gen Tommy Franks, head of military operations in Afghanistan, has visited these areas, apparently seeking facilities for a possible ground invasion in the spring if the Taliban have not been dislodged by then. Mr Rumsfeld is expected to carry out the negotiations.

Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, defended the air strikes in the face of criticism from Labour rebels. The strikes were designed to create the condition for "future military operations", he said, adding that the Allies were determined to bring bin Laden and the Taliban to account.

Condoleezza Rice, the US national security adviser, said there would be no bombing pause during Ramadan.

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