America Attacks Afghanistan

Voice of America, October 7, 2001

The United States and Britain have begun military attacks in Afghanistan in response to last month's terrorist attacks against New York and Washington.

President Bush announced the beginning of the operations at the White House, saying the United States will not waver, falter or fail in the campaign.

Mr. Bush said Afghanistan's ruling Taleban will pay the price for refusing to meet U.S. demands, including surrendering Osama bin Laden, the Saudi dissident blamed for the terrorist attacks.

Mr. Bush said the carefully targeted action is focusing on terrorist camps linked to Osama bin Laden and military positions of the Taleban.

The announcement came shortly after witnesses in the Afghan capital, Kabul, reported large explosions.

Reports from Afghanistan say rockets and missiles are hitting targets near the capital, and that jet aircraft are flying over the city.

Reuters news agency is quoting eyewitnesses as saying rockets and bombs from U.S. and British warships have exploded near the defense ministry in Kabul.

Seconds after the attacks began, Western new reports say electrical power was lost throughout the capital. CNN reported that Radio Kabul has stopped broadcasting.

Western reports also say the Taleban command center at the airport in the southern city of Kandahar has been destroyed.

Kandahar is the home of Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, who has admitted hiding chief terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden.

In the eastern city of Jalalabad, suspected terrorist camps are also reported under attack.

Text of the President's Announcement

More TruthNews