October 20, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

Rangers attack Taliban airfield
Saturday, October 20, 2001
A company of Army Rangers staged a nighttime attack on the Kandahar airfield in southern Afghanistan early today, signaling a new and much more dangerous phase of the U.S.-led war against Afghanistan's Taliban military and Osama bin Laden's terrorist network.

Israeli tanks roll into Bethlehem; unrest escalates
Saturday, October 20, 2001
In one of Israel's biggest incursions into Palestinian territory, the army on Friday sent tanks into biblical Bethlehem, commandeering two hotels for its troops as it stepped up pressure on the Palestinians after the assassination of an Israeli Cabinet minister.

Bush reassures anti-terror coalition
Saturday, October 20, 2001
President Bush sought Friday to calm the jitters in the worldwide anti-terrorism coalition he has rallied behind him. "I fully understand that some, over time, may grow weary and may tire," Bush said, before a meeting with South Korean President Kim Dae-jung at the annual Asia-Pacific economic conference. "But they'll realize the United States of America, under my leadership, will not."

Rights of women 'at root of most conflict'
Saturday, October 20, 2001
The Taliban insists its religious dogma honors women by restricting them to a veiled life in public and a strictly domestic life in private. Officials denounce as lies allegations that Afghan girls grow up in ignorance, and eventually marry men who consider them more servants than partners.

Terrorism protection costly
Saturday, October 20, 2001
First came extra security guards at airports and office buildings. Now, it's stockpiles of vaccines, antibiotics and latex gloves for mailroom workers. The cost of guarding against terrorism and calming public and employee fears is climbing slowly but surely for both government and individual companies. Though manageable to date, such costs pose a potential threat to corporate profits, overall economic growth and the government's ability to finance other needs, including Social Security.

Whatever it takes
Saturday, October 20, 2001
Journal-World Editorial

Call it vigilantism if you wish, but American travelers are ready and willing to combat air terrorists. Americans have a good reputation for rising to meet severe challenges. The growing "one for all and all for one" attitude of many airline travelers reminds us of that.

Sept. 11 focused U.S. foreign policy
Saturday, October 20, 2001
By Jim Hoagland
Washington Post Writers Group

The routine and largely empty talks on Asia-Pacific trade scheduled for this coming long weekend in Shanghai once loomed as a distraction on President Bush's busy agenda. But the APEC summit has suddenly become opportunity and crucible for U.S. foreign policy.

No reason is good enough
Saturday, October 20, 2001
By Leonard Pitts Jr.
Miami Herald

It's not that I mind the fact that the nation is being asked to reconsider its foreign policy. What bothers me is that we are being asked to reconsider at the point of a gun. Or, if you like, at the foot of a grave.

Anthrax letters traced to mailbox
Saturday, October 20, 2001
Investigators have found the mailbox used by the person who sent two anthrax-tainted letters, federal officials said Friday. A source said the FBI is hunting several suspects, including a Pakistani who overstayed his visa.

Measures to combat terrorism announced
Saturday, October 20, 2001
Federal agencies announced these counterterrorism initiatives Friday:

Terror deals heavy blow to struggling Postal Service
Saturday, October 20, 2001
The U.S. Postal Service is reeling from the effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the ongoing anthrax scare, and analysts say eroding confidence in the mail service threatens the financial viability of one of the nation's most venerable institutions.

Second anthrax-mail case confirmed outside U.S.
Saturday, October 20, 2001
A letter mailed from Florida to Argentina tested positive for anthrax, Argentina's health minister said Friday, in what appeared to be the second confirmed case of anthrax-tainted mail outside the United States.

Defense chief pays Missouri a proud visit
Saturday, October 20, 2001
Days after its B-2 bombers completed the longest missions in the history of U.S. military aviation, the 509th Bomb Wing on Friday received an impressive thank-you note. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, sporting an olive-green bomber jacket, personally delivered praise and thanks to a cheering crowd of 2,000 Air Force personnel and their families at the base.

New York Post employees not fazed as worker diagnosed with city's fourth anthrax case
Saturday, October 20, 2001
(Updated Saturday at 8:19 p.m.) Johanna Huden, a New York Post employee who opens letters to the editor, was diagnosed with skin anthrax, officials announced Friday. An employee at NBC and one at CBS also have skin anthrax infections, as does the young son of an ABC producer.

Briefly
Saturday, October 20, 2001
• Berlin: Germany issues warrant for third fugitive suspect
• Belgium: EU leaders pledge support
• Minnesota: Airline removes sweeteners after white powder scares
• Washington: Children's dollars earmarked

6News video report: Around the world
Saturday, October 20, 2001
Josh Garber reports on news from around the world.

Constitution review
Saturday, October 20, 2001