International community - who is for, who is against US retaliation? http://www.abc.net.au/news/features/stories/s370837.htm US President George W Bush is trying to rally a global coalition for military retaliation for the terrorist attacks in America last week. US officials have pointed to an Arab connection to the attacks, adding that a coalition should include Muslim states. Retaliation is likely to focus on Afghanistan, which hosts the prime suspect, Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden. The following is a summary of the international community's stance on Thursday morning (AEST): STRONG OR SPECIFIC OFFERS OF SUPPORT Australia: Said 295 troops stationed in United States have permission to deploy with US forces if needed. Belgium: Foreign Minister Louis Michel said he would send troops to help in US military retaliation. Britain: America's closest ally - Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Bush and has worked to bring less enthusiastic European states on board. Canada: Foreign Minister John Manley said Canada would "unambiguously" join US military action. India: Offered to allow US military forces to use its facilities if needed. The country has a large Muslim minority. Diplomats say Washington is unlikely to need Indian bases. Israel: US sources say Israel is giving vital intelligence support on Islamist militants. US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the US sees no role for Israel in any military response. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon refused to make concessions to the Palestinians to help US recruit Arab and Muslim nations for its anti-terror alliance. Italy: Said it would join a military response and was ready to deploy troops and aircraft if asked. Kuwait: Freed from Iraqi occupation by a US-led coalition in 1991, offered all possible help. Spain: Offered its air bases for any retaliatory strikes; promised to act "without any reservations". QUALIFIED OR LIMITED SUPPORT Bangladesh: One of the most populous Muslim states, pledged support. Yesterday, US embassy sources said they were awaiting a response from caretaker government to a request for possible use of airspace and port facilities. Bangladeshi officials said issue was too important to decide quickly. France: President Jacques Chirac said France would be "totally supportive", but Prime Minister Lionel Jospin said it was up to Paris to decide how to help retaliate and Defence Minister Alain Richard warned against provoking instability. Germany: Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping suggested in vague terms on Monday that Germany could participate in a military response. Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer earlier expressed caution and recalled that Parliament has last word. Indonesia: Megawati Sukarnoputri, president of world's biggest Muslim nation, offered unspecified help. Other top officials have warned US not to make Islam a scapegoat. Japan: Struggling to reconcile its post-World War II constitutional neutrality with loyalty to its key American ally. Criticised in 1991 for supporting US-led war to oust Iraq from Kuwait without committing even a token force to the Gulf. Jordan: Said it would be at the forefront of countries ready to join a coalition. Largest opposition party issued edict on Sunday banning any Muslim participation in such a coalition. NATO: Invoked mutual defence clause for first time in its history, opening the way for a possible collective response. But individual members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have expressed reservations. Pakistan: Afghanistan's western neighbour, previously backed Taliban government. Offered full cooperation with US and sent delegates to Afghanistan to try to persuade Taliban to hand over bin Laden but yet to decide on specific help. A Muslim nation. Fears Taliban attack or civil unrest if it helps US. Palestinian Territories: President Yasser Arafat offered to place all his capabilities at the service of the US and urged Arab states to join a coalition. On the defensive after some Palestinians were shown on television welcoming the attacks. Russia: President Vladimir Putin has pledged support but urged thorough investigation first. Defence officials have said Moscow will help with intelligence, but military participation is unlikely. Security Council secretary Vladimir Rushailo said yesterday it was too early to determine whether ex-Soviet states could allow the use of bases and air space. Saudi Arabia - King Fahd offered support and cooperation to its key ally but stopped short of spelling out practical help on offer. Gulf source said country ready to share intelligence. Syria: Has expressed strong support but earlier this year failed to follow through on commitment to United States. Tajikistan: Borders Afghanistan. Has offered unspecified help but says it has not yet received a formal request. Turkey: Has said it is willing to support Washington. Not clear what role it would be asked to play beyond intelligence gathering. Turkish air bases could be used. United Arab Emirates: Has said it was reviewing its ties with the Taliban and would help in "any possible way". Also called for immediate NATO move to fight terrorism and stressed that success of such a move would hinge on a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Other Gulf Arab States: Are likely to link support for any US military action to extent of US pressure on Israel. Uzbekistan: Borders Afghanistan. Said it is ready to discuss cooperation but that it was too early to comment on possible use of its bases. NEUTRALITY Iran: Iran condemned the attacks but said punishing its neighbour Afghanistan might cause a human catastrophe. Canadian newspaper said senior Iranian officials had asked Canada to tell Washington Iran would not condemn targeted retaliation against those responsible. Sweden: Foreign Minister Anna Lindh has said country does not want to join NATO but is reviewing its neutrality. United Nations: Security Council has expressed "readiness to take all necessary steps to respond to the terrorist attacks" but this falls far short of formally authorising any military response which would require another resolution. OPPOSITION China: Has said it is ready to join the US superpower in fighting "terrorism" but warned that military intervention would only "aggravate terrorism and violence". Egypt: Key US ally in Middle East. President Hosni Mubarak said on Monday it was too early to talk of an alliance against "terrorism" and the United States should think twice before taking military action that would kill civilians. Iraq: A possible target along with Afghanistan. Accused the United States of terrorism itself and said the attacks were carried out by American dissidents. C 2001 ABC --- THE END ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrHhl.bVKZIr Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
