October 19, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

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President satisfied with China's help
Friday, October 19, 2001
President Bush said today that he is confident that Beijing stands "side by side with the American people" during U.S. military strikes on Afghanistan. But Chinese President Jiang Zemin cautioned the United States to "avoid innocent casualties." Bush told reporters he is satisfied with Chinese cooperation on intelligence gathering and pursuing financial assets of the al-Qaida organization and its founder, Osama bin Laden.

Nation is looking for leadership
Friday, October 19, 2001
By David Shribman
The Boston Globe

With bombs and missiles flying over Afghanistan and with wild, horrifying rumors flying around the United States, hardly anyone has a good feeling about anything right now. And yet this seems like the remarkable emergence of at least a brief era of good feelings.

U.S. begins ground phase in Afghanistan
Friday, October 19, 2001
U.S. special forces have begun the ground phase of America's war against terrorism in Afghanistan, operating in small numbers in southern Afghanistan in support of the CIA's existing effort in the Taliban heartland, defense officials said Thursday.

Five civilians reported dead
Friday, October 19, 2001
American jets on Thursday bombarded the center of the Afghan capital, and residents said a strike that hit homes killed at least five civilians — including a 16-year-old girl and four in one family who lived near a Taliban tank unit.

U.S. ground troops move into Afghanistan in stepped-up effort to root out terrorists
Friday, October 19, 2001
(Updated Friday at 3:43 p.m.) U.S. special forces have begun operations on the ground in Afghanistan, officials said Friday, opening a significant and dangerous new phase of the assault against the Taliban and terrorists.

Afghan Taliban defiant at deployment of U.S. ground forces
Friday, October 19, 2001
(Updated Friday at 3:24 p.m.) Shrugging off the deployment of U.S. special forces in their territory, Afghanistan's Taliban regime challenged Washington on Friday to send a full force of troops. "Then it can be a fight between our soldiers and theirs," a Taliban official declared.

U.S. commandos open ground phase of Afghanistan campaign with operation in Taliban stronghold
Friday, October 19, 2001
(Web Posted Friday at 10:33 p.m.) About 100 U.S. commandos carried out a secretive ground assault in the Taliban stronghold of southern Afghanistan, opening a new phase of the war on terrorism after nearly two weeks of punishing airstrikes, U.S. officials said Friday night.

Another case of anthrax confirmed in New York
Friday, October 19, 2001
(Web Posted Friday at 12:14 p.m.) A New York Post employee has contracted skin anthrax, city officials said Friday, the seventh case reported nationwide in little more than two weeks. Police declared two Senate office buildings off-limits to check the spread of spores on Capitol Hill.

Anthrax focus on mail route
Friday, October 19, 2001
FBI agents Thursday swarmed over the west Trenton, N.J., route of a mail carrier who has developed cutaneous anthrax, tracking an important new lead in their search for the source of anthrax-laced letters that were mailed to NBC News and the U.S. Senate.

Brokaw taking 'nightmare' anthrax scare personally
Friday, October 19, 2001
He has become the most visible target of anthrax, the television star who dropped his reserved anchor mask and told the world how angry he is about the attack. "It's the ultimate nightmare," Tom Brokaw says. From "NBC Nightly News" to "Dateline" to "Today," the 61-year-old journalist has been venting about the tainted letter addressed to him, giving a face and voice to a danger that has afflicted mostly anonymous staffers.

Firefighters come through again
Friday, October 19, 2001
By Lenore Skenazy
New York Daily News

Monday morning, blue skies, 9:30. I'm on the Staten Island ferry going to New York Fire Capt. Joseph Farrelly's memorial at noon. I figured I'd get there early, watch the chapel slowly fill and then, per our mayor's request, pay my respects to a hero I'd never met. Quiet. Simple.

Fast's goal is to refocus on events of the day
Friday, October 19, 2001
By Terry Rombeck

About 20 students at Kansas University will see if empty stomachs will help them understand the tense world situation.

U.S. strikes in Kabul hit homes
Friday, October 19, 2001
American jets on Thursday bombarded the center of the Afghan capital, and residents said a strike that hit homes killed at least five civilians — including a 16-year-old girl and four in one family who lived near a Taliban tank unit.

Antiterrorism legislation a turning point for Japan
Friday, October 19, 2001
Japan's House of Representatives approved an anti-terrorism bill Thursday that was painstakingly crafted to define a narrow role for its military in supporting the U.S. attacks on suspected terrorist camps in Afghanistan.

Anthrax briefs
Friday, October 19, 2001
• Los Angeles: Worker charged in hoax
• Sports: Athletes warned
• Paris: Four convicted in scares
• Kenya: Anthrax found in letter

U.S. says lack of restraint in Israel derails fight against terrorism
Friday, October 19, 2001
The State Department urged Israel to exercise restraint in response to the shooting death of Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi in Jerusalem. Otherwise, deputy spokesman Philip Reeker said Thursday, Israel would be letting terrorists derail recent steps toward peace with the Palestinians.

Health experts decry obsession with Cipro
Friday, October 19, 2001
Doctors and public health experts are increasingly worried about the public's obsession with Cipro, saying widespread, unnecessary use of the antibiotic would threaten the health of far more people than the anthrax attacks that have sparked alarm.

CDC warns doctors to look for bioterrorism
Friday, October 19, 2001
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has formally warned doctors to be on the alert for a wide range of diseases that could be associated with bioterrorism, not just anthrax.

6News video report: Anthrax hoaxes won't be tolerated
Friday, October 19, 2001
Kim Hall reports on the Kansas State laws and sentencing regarding anthrax hoaxes.

6News video report: Around the world
Friday, October 19, 2001
Kim Hall reports on news from around the world.