October 28, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

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CIA considers assassination missions
Sunday, October 28, 2001
Armed with new authority from President Bush for a global campaign against al-Qaida, the CIA is contemplating clandestine missions expressly aimed at killing specified individuals for the first time since the assassination scandals and consequent legal restraints of the 1970s.

Taliban front line hit hard
Sunday, October 28, 2001
In what witnesses called the heaviest such strikes of the air campaign, U.S. warplanes staged a daylong assault Saturday on Taliban front lines in the north of Afghanistan. However, Britain's Sky News television reported one of the U.S. missiles went awry and struck a village behind anti-Taliban opposition lines.

Bacteria search widens
Sunday, October 28, 2001
The Postal Service buried a mail handler killed by anthrax — the second funeral in two days — while the search for the bacteria widened Saturday to thousands of businesses in Washington and 30 mail distribution centers.

Haq's group called U.S. for assistance before killing
Sunday, October 28, 2001
In the hours before the Taliban government said it executed Abdul Haq, comrades of the doomed Afghan opposition leader frantically phoned American supporters, saying soldiers were closing in.

Economy spurs return of partisanship
Sunday, October 28, 2001
By David Broder
Washington Post Writers Group

The length of the war against Osama bin Laden and his Taliban supporters is anyone's guess, but we now know precisely how long the terrorist-induced truce in American politics lasted: exactly 43 days, from Sept. 11 until last Wednesday.

8th inhalation anthrax case confirmed
Sunday, October 28, 2001
(Web Posted Sunday at 4:07 p.m.) The Centers for Disease Control and prevention confirmed Sunday that a female New Jersey postal worker has inhalation anthrax, the most serious form of the disease that has claimed three lives and prompted thousands to take antibiotics.

McCain urges more ground troops in Afghanistan
Sunday, October 28, 2001
(Updated Sunday at 4:05 p.m.) Sen. John McCain said Sunday that America must unleash "all the might of United States military power," including large numbers of ground troops, to prevail in Afghanistan. Bush administration officials said the Taliban is being weakened, but warned Americans must be prepared for a drawn-out conflict.

Growing civilian casualties as U.S. steps up Afghanistan air campaign
Sunday, October 28, 2001
(Updated Sunday at 1:42 p.m.) U.S. attacks on Kabul killed at least 13 civilians Sunday, witnesses said, one day after U.S. missiles rocketed hamlets along the front line north of here, killing and maiming villagers.

Mailroom workers across Washington are urged to take antibiotics as anthrax precaution
Sunday, October 28, 2001
(Web Posted Sunday at 10:57 a.m.) Another deadly anthrax-laced letter could still be undiscovered and health officials are urging thousands of people who work in mailrooms across Washington to begin taking antibiotics.

Men and machines of war
Sunday, October 28, 2001
Developments in Afghan-istan have seen the deployment of several United States military units and devices. Special forces units, highly advanced weaponry and new advances in ballistics all have been employed in neutralizing terrorist camps and training facilities in Afghanistan.

Region of turmoil
Sunday, October 28, 2001
Afghanistan is governed by the Taliban, a group that rules according to strict Islamic code, known as sharia. Its leader is the reclusive Mullah Mohammad Omar. After their failed invasion, Soviet forces withdrew in 1989, creating a power vacuum that led to ethnic fighting and civil war.

Peace rally draws crowd, protests U.S. retaliation
Sunday, October 28, 2001
By Joy Ludwig

More than 70 people from several groups gathered Saturday afternoon for a peace rally and vigil to advocate alternatives to war. The Lawrence Peace and Justice Coalition sponsored a vigil, "Lawrence Responds to Terrorism," at the corner of 11th and Massachusetts streets.

Lawmakers, administrators designing plan for terrorist attack insurance
Sunday, October 28, 2001
The Bush administration and key lawmakers have drawn up the outlines of a government aid package that would help the insurance industry withstand future terrorist attacks. They hope to introduce legislation next week.

Political strategy must accompany bombs
Sunday, October 28, 2001
By Trudy Rubin
The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Bush administration is belatedly discovering that a political strategy for Afghanistan is as important as bombs and commandos.

Expert advice?
Sunday, October 28, 2001

Honor veterans
Sunday, October 28, 2001